Whatever your industry, the last year has brought the dangers of infectious diseases to the front of everyone's mind. Whether your employees work in an office environment, or they are public-facing in the service industry - companies are finding they have to focus now, more than ever, on ways to stop the spread of harmful microorganisms in the workplace. Luckily, there are some simple steps that any organisation can take to help minimise the spread of bacteria and viral infections – to keep staff and customers happy and healthy. The products on offer at Universal Smart Cards can help you to protect everyone in your business – using simple but effective technology.

Minimise surface contact with antimicrobial cards, lanyards and badge holders

From staff and visitor passes, through to ID cards and swipe cards, most employees will use some kind of ID or lanyard. Now think about how many times a day you touch or hold these – to swipe through doors, gates, or for visual security checks. With this in mind, it makes sense for something that your staff touch this frequently to be as resistant to bacteria and viral particles as possible.

Our range of antimicrobial cards, lanyards and pass holders are carefully engineered to kill off germs that land on the surface. These high tech pieces of kit are coated with silver nanotechnology that has been widely used for many years by experts in the medical industry. Silver nanotechnology acts against bacteria in three main ways. One mechanism by which it does this is by dissolving the bacterial cell membrane, destroying the cell. The particles are also able to deplete oxygen within the cell, limiting the growth of aerobic bacteria, and finally, they can damage the reproductive receptors. This restricts the viability of any bacteria that come into contact with our dedicated antimicrobial products.

How masks can help protect your business

As we've seen from the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many infectious diseases which are airborne, meaning that anyone who is unknowingly infected can spread their illness far and wide as they breathe, sneeze or cough. Whilst there is a risk of these illnesses, your company can benefit from asking staff to wear masks. This is particularly beneficial in situations where staff are public-facing, or even just in close proximity to each other.

That's why we provide a range of high-quality facemasks. We strongly recommend that organisations consider following the guidance of the World Health Organisation, who lay out the certifications for particle filtering face masks that comply with FFP2 NR, EN 149:2001 and A1:2009 standards. These masks are able to filter the air highly efficiently, with over 94% efficacy ratings, which means that they can significantly reduce the spread of respiratory diseases.

By supplying these, rather than asking staff to supply their own masks for communal areas like staff rooms and kitchens, you will have a better grip on the quality of masks being used, ensuring that you provide the best possible protection for your staff.