Covid-secure – PPE and

Covid-secure

The response to Covid-19 has seen a rapid increase in the development and range of PPE (personal protective equipment), hygiene and software products for the hospitality sector in order to prevent spread of the virus, as well as the rise of a new term - Covid-secure.

HEALTH TRACKING

Fourth, a global software provider for the hospitality sector, is helping operators in the drive to be Covid-secure through the launch of its in-app health survey that enables businesses to effi ciently track the health of their employees to help ensure all measures are being taken to safely staff their sites as they re-open.

The new feature, which is securely accessible for employees via the Fourth app, say the developers, asks employees a series of questions on their current health so that operators can establish if they are fi t to work ahead of their shift. The questions are asked daily and are in line with the latest NHS advice and government guidance on return to work protocol for the hospitality industry, add Fourth.

Once in use, responses feed in the Fourth scheduling solution, enabling managers to see which team members are fi t to work that day. The easily navigable system also highlights which team members are yet to complete the survey, as well as fl agging any employees who are experiencing Covid-19 related symptoms. Reviewing the responses in their scheduling solution, managers are then able to identify team members who are fi t to work and could pick-up shifts of those unable to work.

This new feature will allow operators to effi ciently and safely manage their staffi ng levels once they have re-opened and also mitigates the challenge of employees calling in sick at short notice and leaving them short-staff ed, claim Fourth. Crucially, it will also allow operators to demonstrate they are taking all reasonable precautions to facilitate a safe workplace, which they can share with their customers to help rebuild consumer confi dence to return to hospitality venues, they add.

Sebastien Sepierre, EMEA managing director at Fourth, said: “It has been an incredibly challenging few months for the hospitality industry, but attentions are now very much on re-opening and operators are looking at ways in which they can harness technology and implement new policies and procedures to ensure the safety of workers and customers. This new feature has been specifi cally developed to support our customers with this challenge.

FEM has announced that it is also now supplying the noncontact infrared forehead thermometer from San Jamar - an ideal solution for businesses and organisations looking for a simple, safe method of identifying at-risk members of staff , suggest the company.

“Not only does this enable the safety of team members and the containment of Covid-19, but it will be essential in building consumer confidence. This will be a pivotal challenge we collectively need to overcome in order to give our industry the best possible chance of hitting the ground running.”

EXPANDED RANGE

Hospitality sector supplier, Nelson, reports that it has expanded its alcohol-free Supernova sanitiser range in light of the long-awaited re-opening of pubs, bars, cafés, restaurants and hotels.

Supernova is fully certified, having been independently tested at UK accredited laboratories to European Standards EN1276, EN13704, EN1650, EN14476, EN1500, EN13727, EN14561, EN13624 and PrEN16777 against 99.9% of the most common germs that cause illness, say Nelson. It has been proven to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus - responsible for Covid 19 - within just 60 seconds and to remain effective for very long periods thereafter (up to two hours on hands and two weeks on surfaces - these times diminishing according to handwashing and surface washing, point out Nelson).

The sanitiser works by both physically and chemically damaging the bacterial cells rather than affecting their metabolism. Also, because the blend of biocides has different modes of action, pathogens will not become used to, or resistant to, Supernova over time, claim Nelson.

The wide choice of products within the range extends from miniature, personaluse, hand-sanitisers to wall and floormounted dispensers thus enabling any hospitality or foodservice operation to create a bespoke sanitising system that customers and staff will find easy and convenient to use.

Supernova has also been designed to be safe to use on hands and on work surfaces, and will not adversely affect rubbers, plastics or metals (unlike alcoholbased products which often damage these materials after prolonged use, say Nelson).

Alcohol gels do not kill spores or nonenveloped viruses, claim Nelson, whereas Supernova is effective against spores and viruses such as Clostridium Difficile and Norovirus as well as SARS-CoV-2. Alcohol gels often also contain in excess of 70% alcohol which can irritate skin causing hands to crack and bleed, whereas Supernova’s alcohol-free format won’t dry or crack hands.

A typical arrangement within a restaurant might include a wall mounted sanitiser at the entrance point, hand sanitiser foams or wipes at the table and further wall mounted sanitisers in the cloakrooms, suggest Nelson. All of these provide up to two hours protection, but door handles, menus and any other objects that customers might touch should be wiped frequently with the surface sanitiser which gives up to two weeks protection, they advise, and tables should be wiped with the surface sanitiser between sittings.

HAND SANITISER WHERE IT’S NEEDED

Operators re-opening this month and in the upcoming weeks can provide effective protection from Covid-19 for customers and staff exactly where it’s needed, with a new fully mobile Hand Sanitisation Station from dispense specialists Brewfitt.

The stainless-steel unit, developed in partnership with Holchem and KeyKeg, requires no power, say the company, and so can be positioned in multiple locations within a site. The dispense station delivers up to 7,500 doses of Covid-19 killing, alcohol-free antibacterial hand solution between keg changes.

With hospitality, retail and leisure operators working flat-out to comply with stricter hygiene regulations, the unit offers essential reassurance to customers and staff, as well as to the licensing and public health authorities, feel Brewfitt (a survey into public expectations, carried out by Budweiser Brewing Group, found that 93% of the public are keen to return to pubs and bars, with two thirds - 66% - much more likely to visit if hand sanitiser is readily available throughout venues, they point out).

One of the first operators to install Brewfitt’s Hand Sanitisation Station has been Manchester’s ‘Bohemian Pleasure Palace’ Albert’s Schloss, which ordered units as part of its re-opening programme.

Roy Ellis, chief executive of the venue’s owner, Mission Mars, said: “Like all operators, we’re keen to re-open our doors, but we need to reassure our customers that we’ll keep them safe while they’re with us, and effective hand sanitisation is an important part of our hygiene regime.

“For a busy, multi-faceted venue, the portable Hand Sanitisation Stations are ideal, as we can re-site them over the course of the day and week, depending on where they’re needed to meet the needs of our guests and team members.”

NEW LAUNCHES

Eco To Go Food Packs (www. ecotogofoodpacks.co.uk) has developed a disposable and recyclable cardboard face visor. Known as the Eco Staysafe Shield, it has been designed as a defensive aid in situations where increased protection or infection control measures are required, say the company.

The face shield is based on existing designs, but overcomes the necessity of a sponge forehead spacer with a simple, yet effective cardboard interlocking strap, point out Eco To Go Food Packs.

To help businesses re-open, DWD Retail Display (www.dwdisplay. com) report that they are now manufacturing a range of products including hand sanitiser stations and queue barriers with 2m belts to help with social distancing.

The company’s existing ‘window patching’ machines enable it to place an anti-mist thin plastic film to the die-cut cardboard frame of the shield (in the normal course of business, these ‘window patching’ machines have been used to place clear view windows into boxes predominantly for the food packaging and luxury goods sectors).

“The Eco Staysafe Shield is a helpful solution to the current PPE shortages and doesn’t necessitate too much modification to our existing factory processes,” explains Chris Goodayle, the company’s director of operations. “We believe the shield is ideal for those working in catering and professions involving regular face-to-face customer contact.”

The new disposable face shield is adjustable to accommodate most head sizes. It also features a two-position forehead band to allow additional room for eyewear. The frame is made from solid biodegradable cardboard whilst the visor window is of an anti-mist treated recyclable polyester material (for environmentally friendly disposal, the film window needs to be removed from the cardboard frame and recycled separately).

Face masks

There has been much debate about the use of face masks; attention having been drawn in recent times to a range of scientific papers going back over a number of years that both promote and question their effectiveness, as well as the fact their use in a variety of different situations – but particularly medical - has not altered or been questioned for many years now (the suggestion being that although part of a well-established protocol, the true effectiveness of face masks remains unknown).

Initially, the wearing of face masks when travelling on public transport in England became law. Now, as is already the case in Scotland, the wearing of a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England becomes mandatory from 24 July with a potential on the spot fine of £100 for those not complying.

At the time of going to press, in its Keeping workers and customers safe during COVID-19 in restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services - COVID-19 secure guidance for employers, employees and the self- employed document (dated 3 July 2020), the government states the following on the subject of face masks.

There are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure. The evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are infected but have not developed symptoms. However, customers and workers who want to wear a face covering should be allowed to do so.

A face covering can be very simple and may be worn in enclosed spaces where social distancing isn’t possible. It just needs to cover your mouth and nose. It is not the same as a face mask, such as the surgical masks or respirators used by health and care workers. Similarly, face coverings are not the same as the PPE used to manage risks like dust and spray in an industrial context. Supplies of PPE, including face masks, must continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in industrial settings like those exposed to dust hazards.

It is important to know that the evidence of the benefit of using a face covering to protect others is weak and the effect is likely to be small, therefore face coverings are not a replacement for the other ways of managing risk, including minimising time spent in contact, using fixed teams and partnering for close-up work, and increasing hand and surface washing. These other measures remain the best ways of managing risk in the workplace and government would therefore not expect to see employers relying on face coverings as risk management for the purpose of their health and safety assessments.

Wearing a face covering is required by law when travelling as a passenger on public transport in England. Some people don’t have to wear a face covering including for health, age or equality reasons. Elsewhere in England it is optional and is not required by law, including in the workplace. If you choose to wear one, it is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting them on and before and after taking them off.

Employers should support their workers in using face coverings safely if they choose to wear one. This means telling workers: • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on, and before and after removing it. • When wearing a face covering, avoid touching your face or face covering, as you could contaminate them with germs from your hands. • Change your face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it. • Continue to wash your hands regularly. • Change and wash your face covering daily. • If the material is washable, wash in line with manufacturer’s instructions. If it’s not washable, dispose of it carefully in your usual waste. • Practise social distancing wherever possible.

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