Get Educated, Get Equipped, Be Confident:
Returning to the Workplace Amidst Coronavirus

Many businesses are preparing to reopen to the public as the number of coronavirus restrictions in Canada are reduced. This leaves organizations with the crucial task of creating a plan for cleaning and disinfecting their workplaces to get their staff feeling confident and their customers feeling safe.

Rillea Technologies has developed a 30-minute webinar for businesses on disinfection best practices and factors to consider when developing a plan to ensure the protection of both employees and customers.

The webinar covers:

• WHY we must disinfect to protect against COVID-19. 
• WHAT requires disinfection for  customer and workers safety
• HOW to properly use disinfectants, including a clear step-by-step approach
• PLUS detailed direction for use of common disinfectants and their hazards.

This information will help eliminate confusion surrounding disinfectants and ensure employees have a better understanding of their responsibilities and role in the fight against coronavirus. 

Please contact us if you would like us to deliver the webinar live to your staff to allow for questions and answers. You can also check out the webinar through the link below!

We've Been Nominated Again!

Rillea Technologies is thrilled to announce that for the third year in a row SDS RiskAssist has been nominated for the Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award in the SDS Management Solutions category (Question 45).  

Please help us by taking the time to vote for SDS RiskAssist and supporting your favourite safety partners in all categories. Thank you to those who have already voted, we appreciate your continuous support!

Protecting Nurses from Cytotoxic Drug Exposure

Nursing is one of the most at-risk occupations for exposure to antineoplastic agents, also known as cancer treatment cytotoxic drugs. The info-graphic above shows that nurses have the second-highest occupational vulnerability. A survey from three hospitals in Sweden reveals that nurses only partly follow recommendations for PPE when dealing with cytotoxic drugs. Nurses report that they feel they have the knowledge to handle cytotoxic drugs effectively, despite 37% also reporting no education from their employer. Preliminary results from all three hospitals show exposure above the recommended risk level.

While it is disappointing to see nurses at risk due to lack of proper training, the increased importance being placed on PPE and proper cleaning/disinfecting amid the pandemic, provides a great opportunity to reduce their exposure to antineoplastic agents. The increased significance of PPE will surely impact the future, as people are now more educated on its proper use. Stringent cleaning/disinfecting measures will reduce the surfaces that can become contaminated with antineoplastic agents, lowering the exposure to nurses and all hospital workers. 

Learn more about antineoplastic agents and their risks from CAREX Canada.

If the Glove Fits... Make Sure it's Safe

As people prepare to return to work, it is crucial to understand the dangers of chemicals coming in contact with the skin. While gloves are great PPE for combating skin hazards, making sure you select the proper gloves for the required task is critical. Incorrect gloves could trap chemicals against the employee's skin or reduce the glove's quality of protection. Get prepared and improve your knowledge by taking the time to learn about appropriate glove use. 

For more information about skin hazards, a summary of different materials used for gloves, and specific instructions for the workplace, read our blog post!

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in higher home occupancy and more frequent interaction between household members forced to stay put. With people returning to work, workplaces retooling to offer different products, and increased use of disinfectants, chemicals from workplaces can travel back into homes and affect family members. 

Take a look at this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention article to get a deeper understanding of how take-home exposure occurs and what you can do to prevent it!

RilleaTech in the News!

•  Congratulations to our CEO Lisa Hallsworth on her nomination for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards!

Let's keep the conversation going!

Follow any or all of our social media feeds to hear news about Rillea Technologies or SDS RiskAssist. We'd love to answer any questions you may have and support your journey in responsible chemical management.

 ^__ Lisa & Rob, Rillea Technologies