Dividers

Note: Please note that all information provided is general, and is an aggregation of and attributed to the sources included below. Use your own judgment and regulatory guidance to make decisions around PPE usage in the workplace.

Last Updated: 9/14/20

What is a rope and stanchion divider?

This is often either a retractable belt or rope, between two poles, often used to divide queues and/or lines.

How should impermeable dividers be used?

As per CDC, OSHA, and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, impermeable dividers like plexiglass partitions should be used when possible to separate workers from each other and from members of the general public, such as at:

• at cash register lanes and customer service windows,
• in rideshare cars, or
• between workstations in a manufacturing facility.

When possible, this approach should be coupled with other efforts to create distance, such as opening only every other cash register or moving workstations.

When installing barriers, care should be taken to avoid interfering with ventilation requirements and HVAC systems. Barriers should be cleaned daily with cleaners that will not damage the barrier.

What should you look for when shopping for impermeable dividers?

While CDC and OSHA have not published guidance on this, the Canadian National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH) notes that the dimensions of the barrier should take into account:

1. the breathing zone areas of all users, which depends on their posture (sitting or standing).
2. the height should be greater than the tallest standing user,
3. the width should be as wide as possible (e.g., the width of the entire counter), and
4. all openings should be as small as possible and offset from the breathing zone (e.g., to the side of the window rather than in the middle).

What are the different types of dividers?

• Plexiglass: The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine notes that plexiglass is the most widely available material for these dividers, and is advantageous because it is easy to install, transparent, and easy to clean.
• Tempered Glass & Polycarbonate Glass: Tempered glass and polycarbonate also share these qualities and are more durable – but are also more expensive.
• Vinyl Strip Curtains: Vinyl strip curtains may also be used, but are less desirable because they have more openings and are more difficult to clean.