How to work effectively while maintaining social distancing
Since early 2020, our working lives have been upended by COVID-19. And while vaccine rollouts slowed the spread and offer greater protection, we still need to be mindful of the risks, respect our colleagues and maintain clean, safe working environments for everyone. In this article, we’ll look at some of the products available from global technology experts 3M which can help you achieve that.
3M designs, manufactures and supplies a huge range of products perfect for the agricultural, construction and forest and grasscare industries.
Distances aren’t always about social distancing
One particular item of personal protective equipment which can play a part both in general worker safety and staying Covid-safe, is the hearing protector with built-in communication radio. 3M™ PELTOR™ Communication Solutions feature a range of radio headsets incorporated into hearing protection safety earmuffs.
Why are these Covid-safe? Because when we’re working in challenging, noisy conditions and we need to talk to a team-mate, we tend to move closer to each other. We also raise our voices, which projects micro-droplets further through the air, increasing the risk of coronavirus transmission.
Yet with a radio headset, there’s no need to do either of those things. You can just talk and listen while you work, remaining at reduced risk of virus transmission and being more productive and focused on our work. In the long-term, you can also cut out risk of hearing damage – the ultimate aim of hearing protection, after all. Removing ear protection for just 1% of the time you’re in a working environment with noise levels upwards of 80 decibels, and arguably lower, means you could suffer hearing damage.
3M™ PELTOR™ radio headsets are the perfect solution, just as useful for forest workers as farmers driving their combine harvester, or construction workers on a busy building site.
The 3M™ PELTOR™ LiteCom is the basic model, although basic feels like the wrong word. These headsets offer 32dB noise attenuation, two-way radio communication across 8 channels and 38 subchannels, a voice guided menu system and voice-operated transmission and menu system. And the range between devices can be as much as 3,000m. Which means you can communicate as easily with someone three kilometers away as you can with someone within the Covid-safe three meters.
Take a step up to the 3M™ PELTOR™ LiteCom Plus and the microphone provided in the headset gets noise-cancelling and waterproof properties, gives you even more radio channels, and adds a separate audio input so you can connect to other radios as well as mobile phones. You’ll also benefit from level-dependent technology for situational awareness, a real boon to both hearing and safety.
The 3M™ PELTOR™ WS™ LiteCom Plus gives you all that, plus allows you to connect to Bluetooth-compatible devices. The 3M™ PELTOR™ ProTac XPI version gives you extra button control, so that you’re still in full control of ambient audio levels even if the level-dependent function is switched off.
There’s a radio headset for every situation, and most 3M models come with helmet-compatible options, too, so you can have complete integrated protection for hearing, eyes, face and head impact.
Social distancing reminders
It’s really easy, when you’re focusing on your work, to overlook the safe distances we should maintain related to coronavirus transmission. Visual reminders are vital for reminding colleagues about social distancing and hygiene best practice, just as they are for any safety or hazard awareness. The problem with buying cheaper floor, wall and window graphics is that they don’t stand up well to the cleaning agents we should all be using as part of regular antiviral hygiene practice.
3M’s extensive range of floor graphics and floor markings, window and wall graphics are designed to be resistant to cleaning products as well as the usual skid and scuff resistance.
Floor graphics and floor markings
3M™ Scotchcal™ Graphic Film is a digital printable film that’s easily removeable, so you can print social distancing or other worker awareness messaging. Combine it with 3M™ Scotchcal™ 3649 Floor Graphics Matte Overlaminate and you protect your printed graphics with a surface that’s anti-slip and anti-scuff for up to three months. Use 3M™ Scotchcal™ Luster Overlaminate 3645 instead and you get the same protective properties but with an expected one-year lifespan. If you need to print hazard or Covid-awareness graphics for outdoor use, there’s 3M™ Scotchcal™ 3662-10 which, with Scotchcal™ Matte Overlaminate 3647, lasts up to two years in all weathers.
Line marking and hazard warning tape is another important tool in keeping your workplace safer for workers. 3M’s range starts with various hazard warning tapes and lane and safety marking tapes with clean removal for up to 12 months, all the way to high-friction anti-slip tape that resists the damaging effects of cleaning agents: look for 3M™ Safety-Walk™ Slip-Resistant General Purpose Tape 613.
Window and wall graphics
Eye-level communication helps with regular reminders of all safety issues and other messaging. 3M’s Scotchcal™ Graphic Film IJ40-114 and Scotchcal™ Clear View Graphic Film IJ8150 are designed for printing messaging for windows, both easy to apply and remove, and will last for up to five and seven years respectively.
Similarly, vinyl or PVC-free wall decals should be displayed prominently around any working environment and in toilet and kitchen areas for good hygiene practice. Here, again, 3M’s offering allow for both extended lifespans (up to seven years with 3M™ Controltac™ Print Film 40C-10R with 3M™ Scotchcal™ 8040 Matte Overlaminate) and easy, clean removal. 3M™ Envision Print Film 48C-20R is a truly sustainable solution, free of PVC and GREENGUARD certified. Even 3M™ Scotchgard™ Graphic and Surface Protection Film 8991 offers up to five years’ durability along with chemical resistance. All of these products get the 3M™ MCS™ warranty, and not many graphics solution offer the buyer that level of comeback.
Preventing the spread through good hygiene
No workplace is safe without regular cleaning with products that do the job thoroughly. In these times of coronavirus, workplace cleanliness is more important than ever.
Along with all the usual dusting sheets, microfibers wipes and cleaners for all sort of surfaces, 3M has you protected with the most convenient product of all: 3M™ Instant Microbe Removing Wipes. There’s no disinfectant required – just water – and you can trap and remove 99.9% of microbes, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
For more advice on keeping your workplace and workers safe – from accidents or virus transmission – browse the Kramp webshop for 3M products or speak with your Kramp account manager to explore all the options available to you.
