Clear plastic panels or sneeze guards will become commonplace at retail establishments for cashiers, but they will also be needed to help employees feel more comfortable working in close quarters in the office or factory.

Sneeze guards (also called safety guards) are usually made with clear acrylic or clear polycarbonate panels and a frame to hold them in place. They are placed between employees and customers to prevent or reduce airborne particulate sharing. Cashiers are the most obvious examples. Another clear application is food buffet covers – which have largely been in place for decades – but are now almost mandatory for the suddenly discriminating consumer.

But how will employees feel about coming back to shared office or manufacturing environments like large shared work tables, assembly lines or cubicle systems? Employers are likely going to need to rethink how open an office or manufacturing line can be and what density makes sense in the new era of worldwide pandemics. Placing sneeze guards or full height dividers between working employees may continue a sense of community but also improve confidence that their air space is their own and safer.

Some inexpensive sneeze guards are just an acrylic panel, held up with lightweight feet. But these types can be tipped over and moved easily. For more sturdy and more permanent locations, buyers should look at aluminum framed sneeze guards made from t-slot extrusions. These can be mounted to tables, desks, workbenches or any horizontal or vertical surface with simple L brackets. They can also be built to be free standing.

Aluminum t-slot extrusions provide a strong, lightweight, corrosion resistant frame that has built in slots that make a perfect frame for acrylic panels or their safety-conscious alternative – polycarbonate.

F&L Industrial Solutions offers custom sneeze guards made from the top brand in aluminum t-slots – 80/20. 80/20 t-slot extrusions offer superior quality and a clear anodized finish that make them the best long-term investment in the t-slot marketplace. With over 8,000 compatible parts, their slogan is “The Erector Set For Engineers”. But you don’t have to be an engineer to purchase and assemble a basic sneeze guard for your business. It only takes a few fasteners to assemble a sneeze guard, usually with a single tool hex or Allen wrench.

To learn more about buying custom sized sneeze guards and other guarding options for your business, visit F&L Industrial Solution’s Sneeze Guard Page. F&L is an authorized Tier 1 distributor and manufacturer located in San Diego, California and they ship to companies and individuals all over the US.