Keep our customers and cleaning staff safe while cleaning

Face masks

Virtually all the science available suggests that face masks offer the greatest protection from COVID-19 in most settings.

The question nagging most janitorial business owners and managers is, which face masks are considered the best PPE for cleaning staff? There are standard NIOSH-approved N95 respirators—previously used almost exclusively in healthcare settings—FDA-approved surgical masks, and surgical N95 respirators, among others.

In short, the standard N95 prevents inhaling infectious particles, while FDA surgical masks prevent the spread of exhaled particles, and surgical N95s do both (unless they have exhalation valves). It may seem logical, then, to think that the surgical N95 is the best PPE for cleaning staff against COVID-19.

However, there’s a significant shortage of such masks in the United States. Since infectious COVID-19 particles don’t last very long on surfaces, it’s more critical for cleaning professionals to protect against what they exhale if any of them are infected and asymptomatic—thought to be one of the primary methods of transmission.

So while the N95s seem attractive options, the most appropriate (and incidentally, most affordable) mask option is a standard FDA-approved surgical mask. Even if you have access to and can afford surgical N95s, the best thing to do at this time is to leave them for those who are in direct contact with diagnosed or potential COVID-19 patients. There is some newer evidence that KN95 masks are highly protective, as well. They’re also more available and less expensive than N95s.

All of that aside, the best mask is one you can wear throughout the day, whether that’s a KN95, a triple-layer cotton mask, or double masking. No matter which mask you choose, users must be trained to wear them properly for them to be effective. The mask should cover both the nose and the mouth at all times, and should fit snugly against the face. Face coverings should be changed if they become soiled or potentially contaminated, and between each worksite.

Gloves

Latex, nitrile, and other disposable protective gloves can also be some of the best PPE for cleaning staff, but be careful of the false sense of security they can offer. Some people wear protective gloves and become careless, touching surfaces and then still touching their faces without thinking about it. This can actually increase the risk of infection.

To use protective gloves properly, the wearer should change them every time they move to a new room or job site, washing their hands or using COVID-effective hand sanitizers between uses. Gloves should be removed inside-out and discarded immediately after use. Employees should never touch their faces, bare skin, or mobile devices with gloves on, nor should they wear the same pair for extended periods.

Eye protection

The use of goggles and face shields has become increasingly common, but these may not be the best PPE for cleaning staff. Since most airborne particles only linger at face level for a few minutes, there’s little chance that janitorial staff will become infected through eye contact. However, suppose workers want to take this extra precaution

. In that case, safety goggles are typically more effective than face shields. If there are infectious particles in the air near a person, their body heat can cause the particles to rise back up again underneath the face shield, increasing the risk of infection. Face masks are generally more effective when there’s a risk of high-impact bodily fluid contact, such as during surgery.

It’s worth noting that goggles alone don’t offer much protection against COVID-19 and other germs. If your employees do wear safety goggles, they should do so in conjunction with face masks. AKA Goggles and face shields are not a substitute for proper masking.