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5 Tips to improve cleaning and disinfection in manufacturing

Good cleaning and disinfection is the basis for food safety, quality and a pleasant and safe working environment. In many production companies, in-house employees perform the cleaning. This does not always go well. Below are 5 tips to improve this.

1. Follow the cleaning schedule

A cleaning schedule tells you exactly how and how often to clean certain areas, machines and parts. It also allows you to check when cleaning work was last performed.

2. Disinfect

You have cleaned everything well and on the eye it looks clean. Are you done now? No, you will still need to disinfect. Why? Microorganisms may still be on the surface. These are not visible to the naked eye, but can be dangerous to food safety. With disinfectant, you kill microorganisms.

3. Personal protective equipment (PPE).

Wear proper PPE to prevent physical discomfort. When indicated, always wear gloves while cleaning materials to prevent skin irritation, for example.

4. Hazard symbols and labels

Look carefully at the hazard symbol on the drug. The hazard symbol tells in what way a substance is dangerous.

Read the label and pay attention to the pictograms on the agent. This will help you know what agent you are working with and what protective equipment and dosage to use.

What should you do if something goes wrong? Use an eye wash, if you get cleaning product in your eyes. If spilled product is on the floor, you can inhale the toxic fumes. Get fresh air as soon as possible by opening a window, for example.

5. Use Storage and Drip Trays

Store cleaning agents, in designated areas. Do not leave cleaning agents lying around. Hazardous materials, such as cleaning agents, are stored separately.

Place cleaning agents in an enclosed area on drip trays. A drip tray prevents spills from contaminating other products as well, so spills cannot spread across the floor. This prevents chemical contamination in the product. Never bring your own cleaning products! Always follow the instructions that apply in your company. Your employer provides special cleaning agents.

These agents can be food grade. You use food grade agents to clean surfaces that come in direct contact with food.

Training your employees on cleaning and disinfection?

Then have your employees follow our e-learning "Cleaning and disinfection" or contact us without obligation at info@precongroup.com or +31 (0)30 - 65 66 010.

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