Hygiene and safety measures have been thrown into the spotlight since COVID-19 came about, and it is clear every organisation, shop, public venue, workplace etc. has introduced some form of strategy to ensure protection for both customers and employees.

When it comes to purchasing a hand sanitiser station, there are so many different options it can be overwhelming. It’s best to start off with deciding where it is going to be placed, would it be best wall mounted or floor standing?

This highlights the importance of ensuring hand sanitiser is accessible and easy for everybody to use, such as at the entrance to your building and outside bathrooms; wherever there is a high level of foot traffic.

Germs are at the forefront of people’s minds, and there is going to be a need for hand sanitiser for a long time.  As a consequence, it is important to make the right decision on your purchase, it is after all a long term investment, not just a quick fix.

The dangers of a quickly implemented solution

Though it seems like a good idea to jump to a supplier that will provide a solution as fast as possible, or at the cheapest price, it's not necessarily the best thing to do for the long term. Many dispensers can be seen to ‘do the job’ but do they?

Potential Issues:

• Pumps and dispensers can cause cross contamination
• No way of measuring the dosage used
• Can be expensive and wasteful
• Management is required to ensure stocks are refilled and refreshed
• If used, paper towels in bins must be regularly emptied
• If not managed properly the station area can look untidy, unprofessional and unhygienic
• Potential fire risks with used paper towels
• Possibility of dispenser and sanitiser being stolen
• Fire hazard risk with alcohol sanitisers
• Potential for people to slip over on sanitiser dripping onto the floor

See photo: example of unmanaged station when not refilled

4th Platform’s mobile and wall mounted hand sanitisers

Let’s talk about 4th Platform’s answer to all the potential headaches associated with some sanitising solutions. At this stage in the battle against Covid-19, a robust and long term solution is necessary. And, could be key to preventing a second wave too.

Our beautifully stylish stations are:

• Cost neutral, station can pay for itself with digital advertising displays
• Fully managed service, no set up or management required by you
• Contact free, no risk of cross contamination
• No risk of damage or theft
• Our technicians monitor usage and are onsite before it runs out
• No need for your staff to refill the station
• Ticks all the boxes in terms of wellbeing and safety for employees and staff
• One easy invoice
• Robust, sleek, stylish and branded
• Fully tested and authorised sanitising foam

These units have already proved their worth and have been installed at PureGym in Portsmouth.  A spokesperson for PureGym said, “Having the digital contact free hand sanitiser in our club allows our members to see our health and safety guidelines on the screen whilst sanitising their hands, the sanitiser protects their hands for up to six hours after application.

The benefit of the screen function also serves as a communication messenger board to advertise what’s happening within our club and update our Portsmouth members on the latest news and information. It has given them confidence that the gym they train at is clean and proving a good service to them.”

In summary, it really is important to have a sanitiser station that is robust and of the highest quality. After all, how long it will be needed none of us know!