Shoe covers are an important part of hygiene in several industries. But like other forms of PPE, it’s only as effective if it’s put on and off correctly. Masks and gloves cover skin while shoe covers go on over high-risk items. There’s a strong possibility of contamination of personnel from contact with soles of shoes.
 

What Are The Shortfalls of Shoe Covers?

As the shoe cover is being placed on, the wearer can easily brush the sole of the shoe, causing contamination of their hands. Unless they wash their hands thoroughly, workers can contaminate their PPE or surfaces of a clean, sterile environment.

While staff are bending over placing covers over their shoes, they are at risk of a fall. Standing on one leg and looking down, workers can lose their balance and fall forward. Older workers are at an increased risk of injury because they’re more likely to have a problem with their balance and aren’t as steady on their feet. If there’s equipment nearby, the worker risks hitting their head, which can cause a gash to the head and/or concussion.   

The best way for protecting workers from contamination and injury is to use a shoe cover dispenser.

 

How Shoe Cover Dispensers Work

Shoe cover dispensers are quick, easy and convenient to use. Staff no longer have to sit or balance on one leg to attach their shoe covers. 
 

No Hands Required

With shoe cover dispensers, you don’t need to use your hands to attach the shoe cover. There is no risk that workers can contaminate their hands while putting the covers on or off. Workers are free to hold papers, equipment or whatever they’re carrying while the shoe covers go on reducing the risk of surface contamination.
 

Feet Stay Close to the Ground 

Rather than lifting your foot up to reach your shoe to attach a cover, a dispenser allows you to lift your foot off the ground for the dispenser to work. Swap feet to attach the other cover.

Not everyone can bend over to fit their shoe covers. A bad back or neck, even a large girth, can mean a worker struggles to fit their shoe covers. Some workers are conscious of colleagues seeing them struggle to gracefully bend over and attach shoe covers while keeping their balance.
 

Mobile Dispensers 

A mobile shoe cover dispenser can be placed at a convenient location that’s easy for workers to automatically cover their shoes keeping dirt, grease, oil and bacteria from spreading into a clean environment.
 

Which Industries Use Shoe Covers

There are several industries that have workers use shoe covers as standard. Our shoe cover dispensers are tested and validated for cleanrooms up to Standards Australia Class 100 and ISO 5.  
 

Healthcare 

One of the largest industries for using shoe covers is the medical and healthcare industry. Operating theatres need to remain sterile environments so shoes should be covered to stop dirt and contaminants from entering theatres. Some doctors and nurses are at risk of patients’ bodily fluids splashing on their clothes and shoes. Covers mean shoes don’t need cleaning as often. 
 

Food Production

When manufacturing food products, it’s important to keep dirt and contaminants away from the production line. With so many workers starting and finishing a shift at once, automatic shoe cover dispensers can help move staff through quicker than if they attempted to fit covers manually.
 

Mining 

Most areas of a mine site can handle constant dust and dirt on the floors. But there are sensitive areas on-site such as IT server rooms that can’t cope with dust and dirt being walked in. Getting shoe covers on over bulky steel capped boots is difficult. Automatic shoe cover dispensers mean staff don’t need to struggle with fitting their covers.
 

Laboratories

Keeping a lab clean means full PPE including shoe covers are needed for anyone entering. Shoe cover dispensers cut down on the time to get ready to go in.     

If you would like to know more about mobile automatic shoe cover dispensers and how it can help your organisation, call us on 1300 29 32 32 or contact us online.