28 Apr 2021

Single-Use versus Reusable Garments: Which Provides Better Protection?

 

 

Single-Use versus Reusable Garments: Which Provides Better Protection?

Did you know the highest causes of contamination in controlled environments are from the people who work there? This means the right garments are critical. While it may seem like the best option would be reusable garments since they are made using more substantial material that can be washed repeatedly, it turns out the sterilization process may cause them to deteriorate over time, leading to lower bacterial efficiency than their disposable counterparts.

With this in mind, Quest recommends replacing reusable garments with disposable ones for the following reasons:

Ultimate Protection
With each laundering and sterilization, the air permeability, bacteria barrier, and tear strength efficiency of reusable garments is reduced and particle shedding is increased. Disposable apparel arrives clean, hygienically packaged, and ready to use.

Consistent Quality
Disposable garments provide more uniform and dependable protection every single time. The quality of reusable garments is inconsistent. You never know what the protection level is, depending on where they are in their lifecycle

Peace of Mind
With disposal garments you know exactly what level of protection your employees are getting every time they don garments. Inventory and usage costs are easy to predict and manage over time

Click on the image to download our helpful graphic on reasons to choose disposable over reusable garments.

Don’t just take our word for it. The proof is in the data. Our partners at DuPont shared a video where they put reusable garments to the test. They conducted testing by laundering and sterilizing two new, reusable garments for 30 cycles and examined how well they held up. Here’s what they found.

Test #1: Air Permeability and Barrier on Reusable Garments
After 20 cycles, air permeability increased 5X (garment A) to 8X (garment B) based on the Frayser Air Permeability Test. This shows that garments become less airtight and less effective at bacterial filtration over time.

Test #2: Particle Shedding of Reusable Garments
After 30 cycles, there was a noticeable increase in particle shedding on fabric swatches cut from the tested reusable garments.

Test #3: Tear Strength
The tear strength of fabric cut from reusable polyester garments steadily decreased with each cycle. After 30 cycles, the tear strength dropped by 60%.

The takeaway? Single use garments provide more uniform and dependable protection, with consistent quality. Plus with single-use garments, both inventory and usage costs are easier to predict and manage over time. Taken all together, choosing disposable garments results in greater peace of mind when it comes to keeping your facilities contaminant free and running smoothly.

09 Dec 2020

How Quest is Minimizing the Impact of Rising PPE Prices and Supply Chain Shortages

How Quest is Minimizing the Impact of Rising PPE Prices and Supply Chain Shortages

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand for single-use gloves and garments so dramatically, manufacturers are struggling to keep up. As we move into winter and face a surging positivity rate across the US, the gap between supply and demand will continue to grow.

The result will be higher costs driven by:

A high global demand that has tripled due to more stringent protocols in healthcare and frontline workers as well as governments stockpiling PPE across the globe.

A limited global supply due to a lack of manufacturing capabilities. Manufacturers typically produce 370 billion gloves a year, but an estimated 585 billion gloves are needed to meet global demand.

A shortage of raw materials—specifically anything made with polypropylene material—is driving up costs by 30%-50% and is expected to continue to rise.

An increase in production costs as manufacturers struggle to attract workers due to labor shortages, quarantines, and the cost of keeping workers safe. Additionally, distribution and logistics costs are increasing.

Quest Safety Products has developed a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry’s needs and requirements through technical training and decades of experience. This enables Quest to be hyper-focused on what impacts pharmaceutical customers at this time and source high-quality PPE alternatives during recent supply chain outages.

Learn how Quest is working to minimize the impact of rising PPE prices and supply chain shortages so you can keep your workers safe. Read more.

18 Oct 2018
Construction workers caution sign in the snow.

Plan For Winter Safety and Keep Everyone Warm

Winter Will Be Here Before We Know It!
Check Out Our Winter Safety Tips Page.

Back when we were kids, winter was great! Building snowmen, snowball fights, possible snow-days off, and holidays around the corner. When you are an adult working outside every day there is a lot more to consider. At Quest, we want to do everything possible to help you protect yourself and your workers.

Our goal is to provide you with articles, videos, checklists, toolbox talk worksheets, and infographics to make your work easier. Winter considerations are more than just making your workers more comfortable outside. We know you want your workers to be comfortable but there are also business considerations at play here also. By implementing smart winter safety practices you also

  • Adhere to OSHA regulations
  • Keep productivity up (who can be productive when dressed like Ralphie’s brother in A Christmas Story?)
  • Reduce sick time and incident reports

Our Winter Safety Page provides you with five weeks of checklists, assessments, infographics, videos,
toolbox talks, and articles to ensure you and your workers stay safe, healthy, and productive this winter.

If you have any questions or need additional information please contact your Quest Territory Manager or email us!

Stay safe!

 

04 Jul 2016
Using DEET based bug sprays/insect repellents on FR (Flame Resistant) PPE or clothing is very dangerous.

Which Insect Repellents Work on FR Clothing?

Summer is great, but with it comes mosquitoes and ticks. While many people rely on DEET-based insect repellents, workers in electrical and similarly hazardous environments must look for alternate solutions. People who work in environments that may include flash fires, electrical arcs, or combustible dust are required to wear flame resistant (FR) clothing at all times. Unfortunately DEET and the chemicals that make up FR clothing do not mix well.

DEET, the active ingredient in most popular insect repellents, is highly flammable and should not be used in hazardous environments. This leaves people working in these electrical environments three options; work without insect repellent, use common insect repellent on exposed skin only, or use repellent specifically made for FR clothing. This last option is the safest and best choice. Several manufacturers make non-DEET insect repellent that uses Permethin to repel and kill bugs without endangering the wearer. Permethin is non-flammable and adheres to FR material for up to six weeks in many cases. Contact Quest Safety for more information.

02 May 2016
Bug X 30 Insect Repellent Towelettes at a lake in the woods.

BE AWARE: Read the latest on the Zika Virus

It seems warmer temps are here to stay! While warmer temps are exciting, perhaps not so exciting is the increase in pesky and sometimes dangerous insects the warmer temps bring. The Zika virus is on the rise making insect repellant increasingly important this year. Know the facts! Be Aware to Be Prepared! Check out Quest’s full line of insect repellent option below.

more information button

18 Apr 2016
Construction worker wearing safety glasses, electrical protection gloves, and a hard hat cutting metal.

Maximizing Efficiency: Managing Waste & Cost

What glove is right for your application? Safety professionals all over the nation struggle to find the perfect fit in an effort to balance cost, compliance, and comfort. Many times high usage levels and cost can lead to an inexpensive canvas glove. Protective Industrial Products performed an impressive glove study at one of the largest metal producers in the United States that resulted in some pretty interesting findings. What glove is right for your application? It may not be the cost effective canvas you’ve grown accustom to using.

http://us.pipglobal.com/en/about-us/news-and-events/?nID=45

 

White-Paper-Maximizing-Efficiency---Cotton-Canvas-to-MaxiFlex

 

 

 

 

01 Feb 2016
Orange earplugs for hearing protection.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Hearing loss.

Each day, you should correctly wear your PPE to remain safe and return home at the end of your shift.  Hearing protection is very unique as it doesn’t end after you clock out.  Daily activities such as mowing your lawn, attending a game, or even seeing your favorite band should be viewed as contributors to hearing loss and you should be aware of the effects. 

According to John Hopkins Medicine and the Hearing Loss Association of America, “Hearing loss is the third leading major public health issue, affecting 48 million Americans, or 20% of the adult population.” Arthritis leads the way, followed by heart disease. Sixty percent of people with hearing loss are either in the workforce or in educational settings.

Read more of the OH&S Magazine Article “Combat Workplace Noise Pollution to Help Prevent Hearing Loss” by Mary Padron (more…)