Guide to Restaurant Sneeze Guards

Guide to Restaurant Sneeze Guards


As part of efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, many restaurants are installing protective sneeze guards for the first time. What is a sneeze guard? These safety shields have been used for decades in certain eating environments. But with a renewed emphasis on health and safety, some are learning about them for the first time.

So how did restaurant sneeze guards come to be, and why are they needed more than ever? In our restaurant food shield guide, Sharper Uniforms has taken a look at what they are and the uses they have in modern eating establishments.

A Brief History of Sneeze Guards


For more than 60 years, sneeze guards have been shielding food from wayward germs. Johnny Garneau - a restauranteur and inventor - filed a patent for the sneeze guard on March 10, 1959. These glass panels either hung over or stood in front of food on display. Originally, they were born from Garneau watching customers bend in close to smell the food and worrying they would sneeze on it. Eventually, it was discovered they also effectively blocked airborne bacteria, dust, flies and more.

The invention of sneeze guards changed self-service food environments forever. Just three years later, in 1962, the FDA began regulating their use at buffets and salad bars for sanitary purposes - and they expanded those rules in 1976. Even before the COVID-19 outbreak began, protective sneeze guards were found at all self-service eateries.


Nowadays, sneeze shields have many uses in diners, bars, cafés and other eateries. But are sneeze guards required? The exact rules and regulations can vary by region, so check with your local, state and national requirements first.

These sneeze guards can be used as dividers between bar seats, as a barrier at the cashier station, at the edge of tables and wherever else there needs to be clear separation. They aren't just for restaurants, either - you can use cough guards in hotels, airports, hospitals, office reception areas and anywhere else you need a clear layer of protection.

Sneeze Guard Construction: How to Build a Sneeze Guard


Do sneeze guards work? Yes, but you may still be wondering exactly how it all works (or how to put one together). Well, a germ guard can come in many sizes and styles, but the original patented design was made of glass. Modern sneeze guards are typically made of plastic or acrylic plexiglass. These materials are lighter and more shatter-resistant than glass while still offering a clear-yet-shielded view. This barrier helps limit guest or employee exposure to germs, which also slows the spread or illness.

Most guards have an aluminum or steel frame that comes together for a structured barrier. Some are designed to hang from the ceiling or attach to side railings while others have a bracket and base so you can attach them to a flat surface. Instructions on how to build a sneeze guard are usually included with the package, and be sure to follow them carefully. The height and width of your sneeze guard can vary greatly based on how much coverage a space requires.

Sharper Uniforms has added two other useful features to our table-mounted plexiglass sneeze guards. The matching side shields block additional airborne particles and also increase the stability of the unit. There's also an optional pass-through slot at the bottom of the safety shield where you can exchange money, papers, dishes and other items. It's low enough to have a minimal effect on safety while enabling common transactions.

Sneeze Guard Panel Dividers



If you need a large-scale barrier between customers, or between employees and customers, there's a safety shield for that. Sneeze guard partition panel dividers are a supersize version of Johnny Garneau's original creation. Unlike a regular shield that sits on a table or hangs over it for one-on-one interactions, these standalone dividers can form a boundary for entire groups. Businesses use them to separate restaurant booths, barber shop seats, workstations and more. By doing so, they can practice social distancing and slow the spread of germs without changing the basic layout.

How high does a sneeze guard have to be? Well, it depends. There are two primary types of dividers to choose from for your setting: full coverage and upper coverage. The full-coverage panel divider has a plexiglass, polyvinyl or plastic sheet inside a welded metal frame (with a center bar for larger panels). Use these when there is otherwise nothing between the two areas you're separating. An upper half sneeze guard screen is ideal for placing behind benches, counters, sofas and other places where the lower area is already blocked off.

The Shield You Need Against a Sneeze

Protective sneeze guards in all size are a practical semi-permanent option to promote health and safety in any professional setting. Their effectiveness, durability, ease of use and adaptability is why they continue to increase in popularity. You can move them around as needs change or easily slide them into storage. When cleaning time comes, use disinfectant spray to sanitize them followed by a regular cleaner to remove streaks. Just make sure to clean them regularly so there won't be germs waiting to pounce on accidental contact.

Sharper Uniforms is proud to carry protective barrier sneeze guards and partition dividers that are made in the U.S. They're part of our new series of COVID-19 protective products for operating a business safely. Using them will ensure employees and customers have the lowest risk possible of spreading serious viruses, germs and bacteria while going about their daily lives. We offer a variety of sizes and can also make custom restaurant and bar safety shields. Watch our informational video on YouTube to learn more about how they work or contact us to place an order.

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