With a vaccine some time away yet, industries have had to attempt to get back to business. However, in order to do that safely and in line with new government guidelines, they have had to make adjustments to their way of working.

One of the biggest adjustments that we have all had to make is the instruction of more comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). If you are begging to operate again, then you need to ensure that you and those you work with have safe and sufficient PPE.

However, your old methods of PPE may now be outdated and insufficient. We are being encouraged to shop online and avoid touching things where possible. Online now seems to be the new trend and personal protective equipment in the new fashion.

Earning trust will take time

So that people can feel confident that they are safe entering a facility, sanitation will need to be a key focus. A Qualtrics survey showed that 2 out of 3 people are hesitant to o back to work, no matter their age. People are going to demand good sanitation measures, PPE, and more space to work. They will also need to be kept informed about what measures are being put into place.

Buying behavior is changing

During the coronavirus epidemic, we have been all instructed to stay at home and social distance. Since this was instructed, we have all been transitioning from shopping in public highstreets to scrolling through websites to get our goods and supplies.

Adapting to this temporary way of life has meant we have all had to give up our everyday activities, such as hanging out with friends, going shopping, and going to the bar. During this time, online shopping has gained increasing importance during the pandemic. We are now relying on online shopping to receive household essentials, groceries, and clothes.

Non-food retailers have seen a huge rise in online sales. KPMG estimates online retailing could rise by 50% of the total goods we buy by 2025. This means online shopping will be the way forward for most of us in terms of the way we buy and what we buy.

Procedures

Many retailers and businesses are adapting their usual standard operating procedures to adhere to the government’s new health and safety regulations. These include the correct PPE and social distancing measures, which will ensure that staff members and the public will prevent any risks of the virus spreading. If this is managed effectively, the public will start to utilize public spaces in which they feel safe, more frequently.

Many businesses have also had to rethink their supply chains. Some businesses cannot keep up with demand, while others have shut down completely. Companies may need to reduce the risk by having better disaster programs in place, allowing them to adapt quickly to a crisis.

Finding the right PPE

Finding the right personal protective equipment can be a challenge, and there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration. For example, Will it fit? Is it safe for me to wear? Is it practical? Can I re-use it? Is it eco-friendly?

With the debate of a second wave of the virus, making sure that you are protecting yourself and others around you is critical.

Each mask has a different level of protection. Home-made masks overall are less efficient, as they are usually made out of cotton, which can still release infected saliva particles through the gaps in the sides of the mask.

On the other hand, the N95 masks are currently among the most affordable. Not only this, but they can also filter out 95% of the saliva particles, making it the most effective mask currently on the market.

Many consumers are naturally after a contactless experience with a supplier they can trust, which is where sites such as brooklyn-equipment.com have proven themselves. They are currently providing every essential PPE product that is in demand right now and are shipping within 1-2 days. The need for PPE is often urgent, so fast turnaround times is essential with any provider.

Introduction of new technologies

If you haven’t already, you are going to see an increase in technology. Especially those that encourage collaborative working without being there in person.

Companies are going to have to allow people to work more remotely, and any technology that facilitates productive and remote working is going to be integral to how we move forward.

Demand for maintenance and sanitation workers

There will surely be an increase in demand for sanitation and maintenance workers. As more places reopen, they will be needed to keep everything running smoothly. This could be great news for maintenance workers.

Conclusion

Most people are eager to get back to normal. However, it seems that what we considered normal might never be back. We all need to make adjustments to run our businesses and live safely. The first thing we all need to do is to take measures to protect ourselves with PPE and social distancing. As the next few months unfold, we may also see a further need for technology and new supply chains.

HR Future Staff Writer, UK.