While cleaning your workplace is becoming a necessity, costs are on the rise. Chemical cleaning is also expensive and harmful to the environment, so you should install a UV light sanitizer for work. UV disinfection is a cost-effective way to eliminate disease-causing pathogens on surfaces and in the air. Your workplace will remain germ-free and safe for use by employees and customers.
While UVC disinfection effectively deals with germs, accidental radiation is risky if mishandled. You should help your employees and customers feel safe while using the UVC disinfection device. Here are some health and safety precautions for UV light sanitizer use in the workplace.
Training Employees About UVC Sanitizer Use
Your employees are at the highest risk of exposure to UV radiation since they work within the premises all day. Training them about the UV device’s use will enable them to protect themselves and others. You should include every employee in UV gadget handling training to improve efficiency, from senior staff to junior personnel.
The training should cover the effects of UVC radiation exposure on the skin and eyes. This health information will help your employees understand the signs of accidental exposure so they can seek medical attention immediately when necessary. As a precautionary measure, employees need information on the correct first aid response after exposure to UV radiation.
You should cover the precautions each employee should institute when handling UV sanitizers. Insist on the need for protective equipment like glass when manually starting or stopping the device. Your employees should also know about the manual shutter that can turn off the beam when not in use.
Limiting Access
Your company should use UV sanitizers in unoccupied rooms for maximum efficiency as it increases safety against harmful germs. Just remember to limit exposure to rooms while the UV sanitizer is operating to avoid radiation risk.
Some experts recommend using the UV device in open spaces at a safe distance away from people. While this helps keep employees safe, not all UV devices will function well in open spaces. The effectiveness of your UV light sanitizer depends on the light intensity, wavelength, and time of exposure.
Have a policy or official declaration about the use and maintenance of UV devices within the company. Having specific personnel handle maintenance reduces the incidence of accidental exposure. These employees should undergo special training on how to limit exposure time and handle UV devices. Reducing the hazards will help keep employees and customers safe.
Posting Warning Signs
As a legal requirement, workplaces need to inform workers and anyone who accesses the premises of UV light use. Installing warning labels alongside the UV lamps will help create awareness about it to prevent exposure.
There are multiple warning signs that you can use to alert occupants about the potential hazards, including:
- Safety alert symbol
- Danger symbol
- Ultraviolet hazard
- Ultraviolet resistant eyewear warning
- Warning to wear protective gloves
Also, consider the following:
- Warning symbols: Represents hazards that can cause severe injury or death.
- Lightning symbols: Represents the possibility of electrocution hazards.
- Caution symbols with safety alert: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that can result in moderate to minor injury if not avoided.
- Caution symbols without safety alert: This represents hazardous situations that can cause property damage if not avoided.
Note: While installing the signs will bring awareness, they must be legible at all times. The labels should be cleaned and maintained regularly to maintain legibility. Replace all safety labels that are illegible to promote safety.
Covering Eyes, Arms, and Neck to Limit Exposure
UV sanitizers can cause extensive harm to the bare skin if exposed for a long time. Anyone operating a UVC lamp will need proper protection against exposure. They need to wear personal protective equipment that covers the eyes, arms, and neck to prevent the catastrophic effects of radiation. Personal protective equipment should protect exposed skin and cover the neck, legs, hands, and wrists. Consider also ultraviolet-resistant safety glasses to protect the eyes against exposure to the beams.
Invest In A UV Light Sanitizer for Work
UV disinfection is one effective way to keep surfaces, water, and the air around your workplace pathogen-free. Eliminating disease-causing pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Norovirus protects your workers and customers. You should invest in a UV light sanitizer for work to keep everyone comfortable.