Do You Need Face Coverings, Hand Sanitizer, Gloves, or Sanitizing Spray?
Facilities Services manages requests for supplies such as face coverings, hand sanitizer, gloves, or sanitizing spray. Unit business managers can request supplies for their area.
Overview
- When to use hand sanitizer
- Hand sanitizer safety
- Container labeling and storage
When to use hand sanitizer
- When soap and water for hand-washing is not readily available
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After removing your face covering
Hand sanitizer safety
- Hand sanitizer gels contain 60% or higher concentrations of alcohol, typically ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.
- The alcohol in hand sanitizer works best when you rub hand sanitizer all over your hands, making sure to get between your fingers and on the back of your hands.
- Do not wipe or rinse off the hand sanitizer before it is dry.
- Do not use hand sanitizer if your hands are visibly dirty or greasy; wash your hands with soap and water instead.
- Once the hand sanitizer is applied, individuals must make sure the gel has a suitable time to dry/evaporate.
- Avoid touching any surface until the gel has fully dried.
- Hand sanitizer gives off ignitable vapors at roughly room temperature or warmer.
- Alcohol vapors can ignite if exposed to an ignition source, such as light switches, cigarette lighters, or even static electricity.
- If unsure about using alcohol-based sanitizers, washing hands with hot soapy water has the same effect as the hand gel.
- Do not make your own hand sanitizer. If made incorrectly, hand sanitizer can be ineffective or cause injury. For example, according to the Food & Drug Administration, there have been reports of skin burns from homemade hand sanitizer.
- Do not use disinfectant sprays or wipes on your skin as they may cause skin and eye irritation. Disinfectant sprays and wipes are intended to clean surfaces, not people.
- If you experience a reaction to hand sanitizer such as a rash, itching or chemical burn, notify your supervisor and submit a report to CorVel at 1-866-245-8588, Option 1.
Container labeling and storage
- If you fill small bottles with hand sanitizer, such as the ones you can buy for traveling, be sure to write “Hand Sanitizer” on the bottle to identify its contents.
- Hand sanitizer still presents fire safety concerns, especially when stored in bulk quantities. For any storage amount over 5 gallons, you may need to store the hand sanitizer in a flammables storage cabinet.
- It is recommended that you do not store hand sanitizer in higher temperature locations such as your University vehicle during summer months. The alcohol in the sanitizer gel can evaporate in the heat, making your hand sanitizer less effective.