Expert Guide to Sanitizing Forklifts and Tractor Cabs

Proper sanitization is crucial for the safety of your team. As the concerns for preventing spreading the disease continue to grow, your team must understand how to sanitize high-touch areas without damaging equipment correctly.

Here’s a guide you can refer to when cleaning machinery and equipment around your business.

What To Use When Disinfecting

When cleaning the interior compartments of forklifts and cabs, touch screens, switches, and upholstery will require specific treatment. Only use Health Canada-approved disinfectants designed to remove COVD-19 bacteria. When possible, choose one that is contact-less that will remove the need to wipe down surfaces after applying.

You can use alcohol-based wipes or sprays with a minimum of 70% alcohol to ensure proper disinfection.

Tips Before You Disinfect

Before you begin disinfecting, it’s essential to protect yourself. Since the virus can spread asymptomatically, you do not want to go into space without using gloves and a face mask. This will prevent surfaces from being re-infected while you clean.

Since the virus’s lifespan is unknown in air particles, it is recommended to allow the cab to ventilate a few minutes before entering and once cleaning is finished.

How To Properly Sanitize Equipment

Once you have your safety protection on and cleaning products ready to go, here’s how you can sanitize your equipment.

• Wipe down any surfaces covered in dust or dirt with soap and water before using any disinfecting sprays. Once dry, you can use your sanitizing solution key areas such as:

– handles, joysticks

– windows

– touchpad displays and screens

– knobs, gear shift, throttles

– set buckle, armrest, seats

– steering wheel

• Do not use bleach to clean the cab – it can damage leather and vinyl and is a toxic fume to inhale for prolonged periods without proper ventilation.

• When cleaning electronics, use a disinfecting wipe or spray the cleaning solution on a microfibre cloth. This works on keyboards and display screens. This helps minimize the chance of dried residue interfering with the performance of equipment.

• On the exterior of your machine, use the sanitizer on the handles, gas cap, grab bars, and latches.

• It is recommended to ensure a contact time of at least one minute while cleaning.

Once the cleaning procedure is complete, wash your hands to prevent spreading anything you may have encountered. Aim to clean tractor cabs and forklifts daily, or more often if there are more frequent shift changes. If any operators have been feeling unwell, change the air filters before the next person takes over.

Contact Us To Help With Your Heavy Machinery Needs

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Request a quote by calling our estimators at 1-800-211-2500 or by completing our online quote request form.