Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is worn to reduce exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from physical contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. These may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits which can be used all together or individually.
PPE is equipment that will protect the user against health or safety risks at work. It can include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses.
Type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
With this unprecedented pandemic going on, personal protective equipment has been in much demand in the hospitals, medical staff, and by the front-line workers. While these are very important in the hospitals but they are also important for every individual to use them while stepping out.
The World Health Organization's advice has remained unchanged since the start of the global outbreak: wash your hands, don't touch your face, and keep your distance. Frequently clean your hands Cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, maintaining a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.
COVID-19 spreads from person to person via small respiratory droplets. These are generated when a person with the virus exhales, coughs, or sneezes. You can contract the virus if you breathe in these droplets. Additionally, respiratory droplets containing the virus can land on various objects or surfaces. Touching a contaminated object or surface and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth can also lead to infection.
Washing of your hands
Washing your hands is an important step to prevent any germs from entering your body. And with the global pandemic going on it is utterly necessary for every individual to wash their hands frequently. Washing your hands with soap and water is always the best.
Use of Sanitizers
Only washing your hands will not kill invisible germs, bacteria, and viruses. Sanitize them with alcohol-based hand sanitizer after washing hands. Hand Hygiene is one of the most important hygiene practices. And a hand sanitizer plays an important role in hand hygiene. It involves not only washing your hands with hand wash but also sanitize your hands with an appropriate proportion of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Sanitizing your hands involves hand washing your hands with soap and water; after drying, hands apply it over your palm and rub your hands thoroughly. Many healthcare centers recommend cleaning hands in a specific way to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
Use of Mask (Surgical or N95)
With the crisis going around the world and with the increase in the number of cases in India as well it is good if an individual is stepping out of their house may always use a mask. N95 respirators and surgical masks (face masks) are examples of personal protective equipment that are used to protect the wearer from airborne particles and from liquid contaminating the face.
A surgical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment.
While it’s true that unprecedented times come with unprecedented measures, as a human race we are quick to adapt, innovate and make the most of any situation that we find ourselves in. These were some things that any individual can use during this lockdown and follow the steps of washing hands for 20 seconds given by WHO. Frequently washing your hands, using sanitizers, avoid touching face and less of going out of the houses.
While lockdown is still a new concept that we are trying to get our heads around, soon enough we will get used to it. What’s important is to stay positive, follow the lockdown rules and keep in mind that this too shall pass.