What PPE Should be Worn in the Kitchen?

So the vaccine is being rolled out across the UK and each region have introduced roadmaps out of the current lockdown restrictions – I am as happy as you are! With the easing of restrictions comes the opening of hospitality industries. We have built a list of essential PPE which should be work in the kitchen.

This is what PPE you should be wearing in your kitchen:

1. Safety goggles
2. Rubber or disposable gloves
3. Beard snoods
4. Hairnets
5. Face masks

Lets dive into your options and what type of products your business might need.

1. Safety Goggles

The pandemic aside, cleaning products are getting stronger and stronger so protecting your eyes is essential. Luckily, there’s a huge range of safety goggles, your selection depends on your needs:

• Impact safety goggles – the comfortable and full coverage option with an adjustable strap. Perfect for use with dangerous chemicals.
• Safety glasses with lanyard – if you’re cleaning intermittently throughout the day, these are lightweight and easy to apply.
• Metal detectable safety glasses – perfect for food manufacturing or preparation

However, if general ear-wear isn’t your thing, disposable face shields are a popular and affordable option in the catering industries.

2. Gloves

You have basically two options here, disposable or reusable and both come with positives and negatives.

• Disposable gloves – whether you choose powder or powder-free gloves, nitrile or vinyl, you can guarantee total protection with single use disposable gloves.
• Reusable gloves – cheaper in the long-term and better for the environment, just make sure you purchase a few pairs so you can wash them daily.

3. Beard Snoods

There are some fantastic facial displays out there today as beard trends have hit the internet hard. However, covering that facial masterpiece is essential in the kitchen to avoid loose hairs contaminating food products.

In a large-scale food production environments, you’re always best served by detectable beard snoods. For other small scale productions in restaurant kitchens or cafes, I would recommend your standard blue catering beard snoods.

4. Hairnets

The FDA currently states that employees “shall wear hair restraints such as hats, hair coverings or nets, beard restraints, and clothing that covers body hair, that are designed and worn to effectively keep their hair from contacting exposed food.”

This can apply to all hair lengths, and in times where hygiene is at the top of peoples agenda coming out of the pandemic, using hairnets is a priority. Luckily, your options are pretty simple:

• Disposable blue hairnets – perfect for smaller restaurant and café kitchens
• Metal detectable hairnets – for larger scale food production operations

5. Face Masks

Last – and as we are all now aware – certainly not least. The UK were slower than other neighbouring countries to adopt face masks in indoor areas. Pandemic or not, face masks are key to protecting your staff and your customers.

Let’s take a look at your options:

• Disposable type 2R masks – the most commonly used, both due to the 3-play layers for great protection as well as the soft elastic ear loop.
• Ear saver masks – I’m a big fan of these. Using a face mask for over 8 hours a day and take its toll on your ears, leaving dry skin and sore areas. These strap round the back of the head.
• FFP3 masks – these are the Rolls Royce of face masks. They are not the cheapest but offer the best protection by far. And they are resuable.

I hope this guide has served your kitchen PPE requirements well. If you have any more questions or would like to know more about PPE and other equipment for your kitchen please feel free to contact us today.

Written by Aled Nelmes for Morsafe Supplies.