Global Handwashing Day

Today, October 15th, is Global Handwashing Day, as the COVID-19 pandemic raised awareness of the importance of handwashing, we have decided to share some words with you on this subject. 

The History: On the 15th October 2008, the Global Handwashing Partnership introduced an international campaign to promote handwashing to motivate people across the world to develop proper hygiene habits, in an effort to reduce illness across the globe.

The theme of this year for the Global Handwashing day is “Hand Hygiene for All”. Which seeks to raise awareness of making soap and water available globally, especially in public places, schools, and health care facilities. It also calls for institutions and individuals to improve hand hygiene efforts in the COVID-19 response that can outlast the pandemic.

According to researchers from the University College London, you should wash your hands between 6 to 10 times a day. But also after using the bathroom, when preparing food, after sneezing, blowing your nose or coughing, when caring for someone who is sick, for wound and cut treatments, after handling any animals, feed or waste and especially after handling objects that have been touched by the public.

It is difficult to have access to soap and water at all times. Therefore, it is more practical to use or carry with you, a bottle of hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is useful for its portability, accessibility, and effectiveness, unlike soap it is effective without the use of water.

Here at Uniformal we stock a range of hygiene care pack. To take care of your hygiene needs be it on the go or in work.

From left to right, we have the Disposable Care Pack, the Reusable Care Pack, and the Large Care Pack. Each pack contains a mask (disposable or reusable), a bottle of hand sanitizer and antiviral handy wipes (15 wipes). Our large pack contains: 3 reusable masks, 1 hand sanitizer, an ear loop extender for masks, disposable nitrile gloves and a large pack of wipes.

We carry a full range of PPE products such as Non-contact Soap / Hand Sanitizer Dispenser, Manual Hand Sanitizer Dispenser and a 5L bottle of hand sanitizing gel to refill them (left to right).

For more information regarding our products or available services, please visit our website at https://www.uniformal.ie. 

Is my mask safe to use or unsafe?

What is SWIFT-19:2020?

NSAI has developed this specification to address an urgent need for a consensus-based specification for non-medical and non-PPE masks (barrier masks) for the general public.

SWIFT-19 corresponds to the requirements (design, manufacture, performance, packaging, marking and information for use) that consumers need to follow for their face masks. It specifies that a barrier mask, disposable or reusable, is to help to prevent the spread of the viral infection to others and shall be designed to meet the performance requirements:

• It should cover the mouth, nose, and chin.

• It sufficiently covers the user's face against the ambient atmosphere, when the user’s skin is dry or damp or when the user moves their head.

• It has a means by which it can be fitted closely over the nose, mouth, and chin of the wearer and which ensures that the mask fits closely at the sides.

• It needs to not contain inhalation valves and/or exhalation valves.

How to be sure that my mask is safe or unsafe?

Several easy and quick tests can be done by you in order to attest the quality of the barrier mask. It should successfully pass visual inspection, head harness strength, penetration and breathing resistance. Here are some tips to follow to stay safe:

DO / SAFE :

• Wear masks with two or more layers to help to stop the spread of COVID-19

• Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin

• Masks should be worn by people two years and older

• Wear masks with two or more layers to help to stop the spread of COVID-19

• Always change your mask as soon as it gets damp.

• Look for wording: such as “barrier mask” or “face-covering” on the packaging or in the product description online.

 DO NOT / UNSAFE :

• Face masks made of mesh or lace.

• A cloth mask with only 1 fabric layer isn't considered as robust as a one with 3 layers.

• Do not re-use a disposable mask.

• Do not wear masks intended for healthcare workers (N95 respirators, medical/surgical masks).

• CDC does not recommend the use of face shields alone.

• Don’t buy a mask if the producer details (name, address), relevant instructions for use (disposable or reusable) are not included.

At Uniformal, our masks are manufactured inhouse in Ireland, we are selling barrier masks following the SWiFT-19 requirements.

Our 3-layer masks made of soft cotton blend fabric and built-in non-woven filtration layer with an adjustable nose bridge are reusable and machine washable (60°C). As they are suitable for branding too, you may contact us at sales@uniformal.ie.

We also have the intention to protect the wearer and others who may come in contact or be in proximity against the viral infections thanks to the ViralOff® Polygiene Technology. This technology consists of applying an antiviral treatment (silver chloride) on the outer layer of textiles and other products (such as masks and gloves) to reduce viruses by 99% within 2 hours. It conforms to ISO18184:2019 and is proved efficient in laboratories against Influenza A (H1N1 & H3N2), Coronavirus/Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2), and Hepatitis.

As the treatment kills the viruses, you do not need to wash the mask after each use, only when it is necessary (dirty). Therefore, it is eco-friendly as it reduces water and energy consumptions. After 20 washes, its effectiveness will begin to reduce.

For more information regarding our products or available services, please visit our website at https://shop.uniformal.ie/shop/category/ppe-57.