Protect and Prolong the Life of Your Lead Aprons
Are you tired of messy, creased, and dirty lead aprons? Do you want a smart, time- and money-saving way to store them? Look no further and say hello to organising your lead aprons effortlessly with our exclusive Australian-made Lead Apron Racks.
Mobile Apron Racks
Wall-Mounted Apron Racks
Make No Compromises in Storing Your Lead Gowns
Correct storage of lead aprons is incredibly important due to its direct impact on maintaining their protective capabilities and ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals during all medical imaging procedures. However, lead apron’s effectiveness in shielding from radiation and their lifespan depend on how they're handled and more importantly stored.
Storing lead aprons haphazardly can lead to several detrimental consequences. These aprons are designed for both protection and flexibility, but they are not invincible. The inner protective materials, which may include traditional lead, lead composites, or lead-free materials, are crucial for their shielding capabilities. Prolonged folding or creasing of the aprons can damage these materials, compromising the apron's structural integrity and posing risks of harmful radiation exposure during medical procedures.
In ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of x-ray protective clothing, lead aprons should be either stored flat or hung on lead apron racks to prevent the development of cracks in their protective material, as repeated folding at the same point can lead to fracturing.
Investing in proper storage solutions for lead aprons, such as dedicated lead apron racks, not only safeguards your investment in these vital PPE but also offers significant benefits:
Benefits of Correct Apron Storage
Enhances Wearer Protection
Placing lead aprons on dedicated racks reduces stress, prevents unintended creases, and maintains the integrity of their protective materials. This ensures optimal protection for wearers and enhances the long-term effectiveness of your radiation protection gear.
Increases Apron's Lifespan
Careful storage prevents damage from folding, creasing, or exposure to harsh conditions, prolonging the lifespan of your X-ray aprons and optimizing their durability.
Saves Time & Effort
Having designated storage areas via racks makes it easier and quicker to access lead aprons, improving overall efficiency and streamlining workflows for healthcare professionals.
Understanding Various Types of Lead Apron Racks
Now that we grasp the importance of storing lead aprons correctly, let's delve into the different lead apron rack options.
Mobile Lead Apron Racks
Mobile apron racks offer versatility and convenience in meeting the ever-changing demands of healthcare environments. These racks hold various types of aprons, including two-piece aprons (vests & skirts), one-piece aprons like wraparound (front & back protection) and front lead aprons.
Vest & Skirt
Lead Aprons
Wraparound
Lead Aprons
Front
Lead Aprons
They are available as space-saving options for areas with limited floor space (holding 3 to 6 lead aprons). Large apron racks can hold between 10 to 20 lead aprons.
Equipped with wheels, mobile apron racks can be seamlessly moved throughout medical facilities to where they are needed, providing accessibility to the aprons. Some models feature fixed hangers designed for even weight distribution, while others offer removable hangers (H-Rack) for added flexibility.
Mobile Apron Rack not only ensures accessibility but also helps in maintaining the optimal storage conditions wherever lead aprons are required which is essential for preserving the aprons' protective qualities. To minimise strain or injury and ensure easy handling of lead aprons, lead apron racks should be at a comfortable height, avoiding the need for staff to reach above their shoulder height.
Mobile Apron Rack for Tops and Skirts
The Mobile Lead Apron Rack for two-piece aprons features separate rods for hanging leaded vests and skirts, offering practicality and time-saving benefits. It accommodates the different order of putting on and taking off lead aprons (skirt first, then top; top first, skirt second). Some racks of this type provide two hanging options for skirts: either by the skirt straps or by slipping them over the rod. Additionally, some racks have additional storage space for X-ray accessories such as thyroid collars, sleeves, and shin guards.
Mobile Apron Rack for One-Piece Aprons
The Mobile Lead Apron Rack for one-piece aprons features fixed rods for hanging leaded wraparound or front lead aprons. Some racks feature additional storage space for X-ray accessories such as thyroid collars, sleeves, and shin guards
Mobile H-Rack for all types of lead aprons
The H-Rack is designed to hold all lead apron types, vests & skirts, wraparound and front lead aprons. It features a unique H-shaped design. Additional apron hangers are needed to hang each apron. Usually, they are supplied when buying the H-Rack. This type of Lead Apron Rack can become messy as lead garments can easily fall off the single hanger. It doesn’t accommodate for the different order of putting on and taking off lead aprons (skirt first, then top; top first, skirt second). The ability to detach the single hanger from the H-Rack and take it where needed enhances its
Wall-Mounted Lead Apron Racks
Wall-mounted racks are ideal for medical facilities with limited floor space. Typically mounted to a wall, these racks come in diverse designs featuring hooks, pegs, or slots tailored for hanging aprons and other essentials. Their key advantages lie in their space-saving nature and easy accessibility, effectively optimising floor space within medical facilities. However, it's important to note that while these racks offer convenience in storage, some only offer fixed hangers which means that lead aprons cannot be easily relocated.
Stainless Steel
Bracket with Hanger
Wall-Mounted
Apron Hanger
Picking the Right Rack for Your Lead Aprons
When choosing the best apron rack for your needs, think about these things:
How many aprons you have
Get a rack that can hold all your aprons without cramming them together.
What type of aprons you have
Different racks are made for different types of aprons, like vests, skirts, wraparounds, or front aprons.
How much space you have
If you don't have much floor space, a wall-mounted rack is a good choice. If you need to move your aprons around a lot, go for a mobile rack.
Your budget
Think about what you can afford. Some racks are pricier because of their size or extra features, but they're worth it if they last longer.
How often you use your aprons
If you use aprons a lot, a mobile rack might be handy. If not, a wall-mounted one could do the job.
Any special needs
Look for racks that can be customised with extras like a place to store lead apron accessories such as thyroid collars, caps etc.
Making the Most of Your Lead Apron Storage
Once you've got your apron rack sorted, here's how to keep your lead aprons in top shape:
Hang aprons correctly
Don't fold or bunch up your aprons. Hang them evenly on the rack's supports or pegs to spread out the weight.
Finding the right spot
Store your aprons in a well-ventilated, temperature-controlled area, away from direct sunlight and harsh chemicals. Extreme temperatures and sunlight can mess up the lead lining and fabric.
Checking them often
Regularly look over your aprons for any damage, like cracks, tears, or worn areas. Keep track of these in your hospital's inventory system. Check the manufacturer's guidelines for how often to inspect them and consider pro inspections when needed.