UV-C Safety Guidelines

The Three Keys to UV-C Safety:

  1. ALWAYS wear protective eyeglasses when using UV-C sanitizers.
  2. ALWAYS cover exposed skin when using UV-C sanitizers.
  3. NEVER point UV-C sanitizers in the direction of others.
  4. BE MINDFUL of reflective surfaces. When using UV-C sanitizers over shiny or metallic objects, utilize a face shield and cover exposed skin from reflected light.

 What to Be Aware Of:

  • Direct Exposure
  • Reflective Exposure
  • Equipment

 When it comes to Ultraviolet light, and more specifically UV-C light, what makes it an effective tool to sanitize harmful viral particles, bacteria, germs, and other pathogens is the same thing that makes it harmful to our unprotected skin and eyes. Our atmosphere largely protects us from exposure to UV-C light— which means while we don’t have an adaptive ability to deal with it, neither do the viral particles hitching a ride on your fruit, shoes, and cell phones. Germs can’t handle prolonged contact with a high wattage GermAwayUV machine, and they don’t have the option to put on personal protective equipment! But you do.

 UV-C light exposure can cause severe burns of the skin and eye injuries (or photokeratitis.) While injuries from UV-C exposure usually resolve in a week, with no known long term damage, these injuries are preventable. By coupling personal protective equipment, and a knowledge of the different types of exposure risks, you can keep yourself safe while continuing to use our long lasting and proven effective machines.

Direct Exposure

Direct exposure takes place when the UV-C light source you are using comes into direct contact with your skin. This can look like placing an item with an ungloved hand into a conveyor system, or holding an object you are sanitizing with a wand in an ungloved hand— letting it pass over your unprotected skin. Direct exposure can result in burns on any unprotected skin it comes into contact with for long periods of time. Factors that come into play include length of exposure as well as bulb wattage or amount of power.

Preventative Equipment:

  • Safety glasses that allow visible light to pass through while keeping out the harmful UV-C light.
  • Heavy gloves, made of leather or a thicker material to handle sanitizing items.
  • Layered fabrics that cut off the amount of UV-C light to your skin, where UV-C light might pass through one layer of a T-shirt, adding an additional layer will stop it.
  • Towels or Plastic bags that give you distance from touching or holding an item being sanitized and can be run through a conveyor or under a wand.

Reflective Exposure

In addition to Direct Exposure of UV-C light on unprotected skin and eyes, reflective light poses a risk. This type of exposure occurs when the light from a UV-C device hits an item or surface and is thrown back, up, and around the room at detectable levels. Different surfaces produce different amounts of this reflection— for example with rubber, UV-C light can be detected up to a foot in the air. With metals, mirrors, or other highly reflective materials the distance of reflective exposure increases. This is why many devices utilize mirror technology to assist in full coverage sanitation! Much like direct exposure, the way to combat reflective exposure is through personal protective equipment.

 Preventative Equipment

  • Safety glasses that allow visible light through while keeping out the harmful UV-C light.
  • Full coverage face shield to protect the skin of your face and your eyes.
  • Heavy gloves, made of leather or a thicker material to handle sanitizing items.
  • Layered fabrics that cut off the amount of UV-C light to your skin, where UV-C light might pass through one layer of a T-shirt, adding an additional layer will stop it. 
Always Choose Caution and Coverage

 When it comes to UV-C light sanitation, the potential risks can be mitigated by using personal protective equipment, and knowing the different types of exposure risk. When in doubt, cover as much of your skin as you can— protecting your eyes no matter what. Layer your clothing and aim for sleeved garments to add coverage!

 An additional guaranteed way for peace of mind is to invest in a UV-C light meter. This will allow you to test an outfit, gloves, or glasses, and to know with 100% certainty that you are protected. All of the equipment listed can be found on our site.

Please watch the video below for some basic guidelines to use your UV-C sanitizer safely and effectively. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly.