Use an ID card printer or security badges in the workplace? Here’s what you need to know to keep your team safe and prevent the spread of coronavirus as workers return to the office.
Businesses are slowly opening back up after a long lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As employees return to their offices, they face new risks that naturally come from added exposure in close quarters. As a result, health and safety measures are being implemented to help control the spread of the virus in the workplace. And with new COVID-19 cases still rolling in each day, sanitary procedures are more important than ever.
New Health and Safety Guidelines
The CDC has recommended guidelines for reopening business, including the steps required to prioritize employee health and safety. Some of these include employee health monitoring, sanitizing stations, disinfection of high-traffic areas, social distancing measures, and the use of masks.
For individuals in the workplace, one of the best ways to minimize the spread of germs is to wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces. Recommended best practices also include staff training on proper cleaning procedures for office equipment to ensure safety for both employees and clients.
One of the more frequently used pieces of office equipment is an identity card printer, used to create badges, bank cards, corporate ID cards, healthcare ID cards, travel cards, and shopper loyalty cards. These card printers need to be sanitized regularly to keep illness from spreading.
Passing objects from person to person has also been shown to increase the spread of germs. Often these objects include plastic ID cards, which are touched regularly throughout the day: used for opening doors, computer access, paying for meals, checking in at security, and other activities.
It’s important to clean and sanitize both ID card printers and plastic ID cards regularly as businesses return to more normal operation. Wiping plastic ID cards and printers with a disinfecting wipe is a simple way to help keep your team healthy and safe.
Cleaning Plastic ID Cards
Badges and plastic ID cards should be sanitized regularly using antibacterial wipes, especially if they’re touched frequently by multiple people.
If antibacterial wipes such as Lysol wipes are not available, alcohol wipes will also work for cleaning plastic ID cards. Another alternative includes creating a mixture using either diluted hand wash or a concentration of at least 70 percent alcohol. Remember to never mix chemicals.
Cleaning the ID Card Printer
To properly clean your card printer, start by unplugging the printer. Use the same diluted cleaning solution to lightly dampen (not wet) a microfiber cloth and carefully wipe down the printer.
Notes of Caution for ID Printer Cleaning
Protect your printer by making sure to always use a damp (never saturated) cloth. Avoid getting moisture in any of the following places:
- On the dye film
- Inside the printing area below the lid
- In the hand feeding slot
- Behind the screen
- In the cable sockets
For assistance with your Swiftpro ID card printer, please visit our support page, email us at supporttech@swiftpro-printer.com, or call us at 732-271-7328.