Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110

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New handguard reduces germ transfer from surfaces workers can't avoid touching

A compact antimicrobial handguard to help prevent the transfer of viruses and bacteria, including Covid-19, from everyday touchpoints such as door handles, touchscreens, keypads, switches and push buttons, has been launched in time for us to to get back to work.

Called TouchSafe, the handguard shields hands from contact with potentially contaminated surfaces and helps prevent the transfer of germs to the face, eyes and mouth, where they can enter the body. Its convex and concave design reduces the surface area of contact by as much as 80% compared with a hand, reducing the risk of infection as well as helping to break the chain of infection to other people and surfaces.

It also has built-in antimicrobial properties which kill over 80% of bacteria in just 15 minutes and up to 99.99% in two hours as well as deactivating some viruses.

The idea for TouchSafe was conceived by GP, Dr Stephen Bright, in response to the current Covid-19 outbreak and has been developed by OGM, an approved UK manufacturer of medical equipment.

It grips all types of door handle, whether pushing, twisting or pulling action is required, and features a conductive nib for use on all types of touchscreens (capacitive and resistive) and keypads. It also has two push-points for switches and push buttons to prevent germ transfer to fingers.

Says Dr Bright: "Of course, hand washing with soap and water is always the most effective first line of defence against germs but, in-between hand washing or if wash facilities aren't immediately available, TouchSafe provides a convenient and portable extra line of protection for workers."

The product comes with an easy clean wrist strap and is also available with the option of a retractable lanyard useful for frequent use in the workplace. It can be easily cleaned during work breaks using soap and water or by placing it in a conventional dishwasher at the end of the working day.

TouchSafe is available in bulk orders for work environments.

www.ogm.uk.com / www.breathesafe.uk.com

28th May 2020