How to Source Reliable PPE Products for Fitness Facilities

As the current healthcare crisis carries on—with more companies manufacturing PPE essentials than ever before—it can make shopping for the supplies you need overwhelming. At ELIVATE, we are your source for PPE essentials. We only carry high-quality, reliable PPE products, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, and more that you can depend on to help protect your members, staff, and facility now and in the future.

Let’s explore the different standards you should look for when sourcing PPE products for your fitness facility. 

Masks

From cloth face coverings to respirator masks and surgical masks, there are a variety of options to consider when stocking your fitness facility. According to OSHA, cloth face coverings “are not considered personal protective equipment (PPE)” because they “will not protect the wearer against airborne transmissible infectious agents due to loose fit and lack of seal or inadequate filtration.”¹

Although some members may wear their own masks, you still want to have stock of disposable masks available. Respirator and surgical masks help protect wearers from splashes, sprays, and airborne particulates, however there are “Respiratory Protection” standards put in place by OSHA for respirator masks.¹ These masks have to be certified by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), so when shopping for respirator masks, make sure they meet that standard. 

At ELIVATE, we carry a selection of face masks and face shields like 3-Ply Masks, Standard Use Face Shields, and Cloth Face Masks.

For more information about standards for masks, please refer to OSHA or the CDC.

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is essential for fitness facilities, but how do you choose the right one for your members and staff? Over the past few months, there has been an uptick in concerns about how hand sanitizers are manufactured. Not all hand sanitizers are created equal—nor are they all safe to use. When shopping for hand sanitizers, it is important to know the difference between methanol and ethanol.

Ethanol-Based Hand Sanitizer: Ethanol contains two carbons. The extra carbon in ethanol allows it to be processed by the body into harmless byproducts. BodyMed® Hand Sanitizer is made with ethanol, making it effective in killing germs in accordance to FDA manufacturing formulation guidelines.

Methanol-Based Hand Sanitizer: Methanol contains only one carbon, which cannot bind to the correct enzymes in the body. Because methanol-based hand sanitizer is absorbed through the skin, it can lead to toxic levels of this chemical in the body.

Disinfectants & Cleaning Supplies

Establishing cleaning and disinfecting protocols should be front of mind at your fitness facility—especially now. The cleaning products you used prior to the current crisis may not be the best possible options. Before shopping for disinfectants and cleaning supplies, it’s imperative that you understand the manufacturing quality standards you should look out for. 

According to the CDC, they “only recommend use of the surface disinfectants identified on List N against the virus that causes COVID-19.²

What is the EPA’s List N?

This list features a selection of disinfecting products that meet the EPA’s strict criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. To find specific products on List N, you can search by the product’s designated EPA registration number, product name, contact time, formulation type, and more. Before using an EPA-registered disinfectant, be sure to follow the directions as listed on the product label.³

How Do You Know Products on List N Work?

According to the EPA, they expect “the products on List N to kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, because they:

• Demonstrate efficacy against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19);
• Demonstrate efficacy against a pathogen that is harder to kill than SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19); or
• Demonstrate efficacy against a different human coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).”⁴

We carry a selection of disinfectants that are in stock and EPA registered on List N including Bioesque Botanical Disinfectant Solution, Gym Wipes Antibacterial Wipes, and more.

For all of your PPE needs, count on ELIVATE. We carry a wide selection of products that are in stock and available for immediate shipment.

Get access to professional pricing when you create an account or contact your account manager at 1.800.537.5512 for more information. 

References 

¹“UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.” COVID-19 | COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions | Occupational Safety and Health Administration, www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/covid-19-faq.html.

²“Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html.

³“List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 13 Aug. 2020, www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2-covid-19.

⁴“How Does EPA Know That the Products on List N Work on SARS-CoV-2?” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 11 Aug. 2020, www.epa.gov/coronavirus/how-does-epa-know-products-list-n-work-sars-cov-2.