Essential Hygiene Protocols for Manufacturing Success

Strict hygiene and sanitation practices are essential in manufacturing and industrial plants. They help ensure that all equipment is in good working order and contamination of products is prevented at all costs. Contamination can cause products to have a shorter shelf life, profit loss, and worse, expose workers to health hazards.

Proper sanitation measures are vital — now more than ever due to the increasing number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases around the world. Adhering to strict hygiene guidelines and best practices will allow manufacturers to help suppress the further spread of the new coronavirus infection.

Industrial and manufacturing companies should participate in lowering the number of COVID-19 cases starting off with keeping their sites clean and educating employees about personal hygiene habits.

How Is COVID-19 Transmitted?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness transmitted from one person to another through the saliva, nasal discharge, and droplets expelled when a person coughs or sneezes. Good hygiene practices in the workplace and the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces play a significant role in preventing the spread of the infection.

A person can get infected by COVID-19 through:

• Contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
• Touching contaminated objects or surfaces (e.g. doorknobs, light switches, and desks), then touching the face (specifically the mouth, nose, and eyes)

To lower the risk of Coronavirus transmission, cleaning, proper workplace hygiene practices, and the use of appropriate face masks and gloves is highly recommended.

Cleaning Process Recommendations

Ready the following cleaning items prior to starting the cleaning process:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Rubbish waste bag
• Cleaning equipment and disinfectant products
• Alcohol-based sanitizer (at least 70% alcohol)

Below is a process on how to properly wear the recommended PPE before cleaning the company premises:

• Clean your hands. Use liquid hand soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Wear a disposable apron.Make sure to tie the back of the apron at the neck and waste.

Put on a face mask. Fit the flexible band of the mask to the bridge of your nose, ensuring that it fits snugly on your face and below the chin. Tie the mask securely. Avoid adjusting the mask until it’s time to remove it.