Safety and Quality Guidelines

Safety Recommendations

While making and packaging supplies, you can help reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 by following this advice:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before making or packaging any kit. Follow NHS handwashing guidelines.
  2. Work in a clean space and disinfect all surfaces and equipment likely to be in contact with the kit. Ensure all kit is laundered at at least 60°C, hot ironed if possible and packaged into clean bags and sealed/taped shut.
  3. Only make kit for others if you have no Covid-19 symptoms and have not had contact with a known case. Here is the UK Government's official guidelines on symptoms and quarantining.
  4. When passing packages on to co-ordinators or organisations, please follow all current social distancing recommendations. If you are at risk, please connect with others for support to ensure you are in line with all current social distancing guidelines for vulnerable people.
  5. Anyone using PPE should be familiar with best practice for use, donning and doffing and laundering.
  6. Any non-healthcare professionals considering using a mask should familiarise themselves with the WHO guidelines on how to safely use masks.

Quality Control

Quality matters. The kit you create needs to be robust and long lasting, and handle repeated hot laundering. When sewing - ensure you have good seams and that edges are either overlocked / french seams / properly finished.

Check with the people you are creating things for, or with others with experience of making PPE, to ensure that you are using the appropriate materials for the job.

Before packaging kit, we recommend conducting the following checklist:

  • Have you washed your hands?
  • Have all pins been removed?
  • Are all seams good and well finished?
  • Are any straps, ties, buttons or fixings attached correctly?
  • Has it been laundered hot (at at least 60°C) and pressed?

Package items into clean bags which can be sealed/taped shut. Clearly label packages with the a description of the contents (item + number of units + other necessary information, e.g. sizing, laundering information).

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