If you use cutting-edge material handling equipment in your facility, keep them sanitary and clean to ensure efficiency and longevity. Following safety and hygiene standards is vital for your organization's reputation and the quality of the products you transport or store in the facility.
You must follow certain cleaning practices to keep the material handling equipment as hygienic as possible, especially when fears of spreading viruses and diseases are high. You must know the steps needed to clean the material handling equipment correctly. But first, start by knowing why proper cleaning practices are important for your company's success.
The Importance of Proper Cleaning Practices
Besides preventing spreading diseases, keeping your facilities clean and free from contaminants is important for any firm looking to maintain its reputation and product quality. Equipment that isn't cleaned properly can also end up needing frequent maintenance and repairs. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of implementing robust cleaning practices.
#1- Product Quality
Not keeping the workspace clean increases the risks of the products becoming murky or their overall quality being harmed. This is especially true for businesses handling food products or pharmaceuticals. Foodborne pathogens can contaminate the material handling equipment and cause other food products to spoil.
When it comes to pharmaceuticals, most items need to be kept in highly controlled environments. Contaminated material handling equipment could compromise other batches. You can ensure all products are kept safe and free from contaminants from the previous handling by properly sanitizing and cleaning the equipment.
#2- Mitigate the Spread of Diseases
Some viruses can thrive on the surfaces of material handling equipment. Therefore, cleaning and sanitizing material handling equipment used at your facility is vital to reduce the chances of the diseases spreading and compromising the quality of products or the health of your employees. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has rolled out several best practices and guides that all employers should follow to keep their facilities clean.
#3- Prevent Maintenance Issues
Regular cleaning is key to keeping your material handling equipment running efficiently. It's a form of preventive maintenance that's crucial for the durability of any equipment used in your facility. Not cleaning the equipment could lead to harmful contaminants and debris build-up that can cause wear and tear.
Regular cleaning sessions make it easier to spot potential issues. A thorough cleaning helps you to notice the parts of the equipment that need replacement or repair. Therefore, if you want your equipment to stay in optimal condition, proper sanitation must be maintained.
How to Keep Material Handling Equipment Clean?
Although each type of material handling equipment may have its own cleaning and maintenance requirements, you can follow some standard practices to keep them in good shape. Here are a few tips you should pay attention to when sanitizing your material handling equipment.
Tip #1- Avoid Direct Sprays on Vulnerable Components
Using a pressure washer to spray the material handling equipment is fine as long as you don't direct the high-pressure stream at certain components. Stroke indicator labels, control panels, pneumatic parts, electrical components, valves, and warning labels should all be avoided because too much pressure can damage them. It's safer to use mid-pressure or low-pressure nozzles if you need to clean certain delicate components.
Tip #2- Handle Cleaning Chemicals Properly
Using appropriate chemical cleaning products is crucial to ensuring proper sanitization of the material handling equipment. However, mishandling of chemicals can be hazardous for your workers and equipment as well. Regularly train your staff to educate them on the right ways to use the cleaning chemicals and make sure they follow instructions and are aware of any warnings mentioned on the products. It's equally important to ensure the chemical containers are labeled and stored safely in a cool and well-ventilated area.
Tip #3- Always Wear Proper PPE
When handling or cleaning material handling equipment, make sure you use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Respirators, goggles, and face shields must be worn to protect against harmful mists, fumes, and vapors. For the rest of the body, aprons, full-body suits, and gloves help protect against chemical burns or other harmful chemicals. Chemical-resistant footwear is also excellent for protecting against detergents on the floor.
Tip #4- Clean Up Spills Promptly and Prioritize Ventilation
If something spills during the cleanup, mop it quickly. Immediately taking care of spills can mitigate the chances of the chemicals damaging the surfaces. Also, ensure the space is well ventilated, so the vapors don't stay in the air after cleaning.
Tip #5- Follow Manufacturer's Instructions
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning your equipment. Manufacturers often have stringent requirements for the temperature and amount of pressure to be used. It's best to stick to the manufacturer's chemical concentration and cleaning agent recommendations to ensure the cleaning regimen doesn't damage the equipment. Consult Hovair Systems for State-of-the-Art Material Handling Equipment
Hovair Systems is a material handling equipment provider that understands how crucial heavy machinery lifting equipment is for businesses. Their experts can help you streamline a range of tools for moving heavy equipment designed for easy cleaning. They offer cutting-edge pneumatic-powered tools to improve your sanitation, workflow, and efficiency. All their pneumatic solutions meet industry regulations and keep both the loads and workers safe and secure.
Browse Hovair's material handling equipment solutions to find the type that best suits your facility. Their experts can assist you with lifting & rigging equipment, durable air bearings, industrial turntable systems, air caster weight management solutions, heavy load management devices, heavy load carriers, paper roll handling technology, nuclear casks, automobile turntables, commercial turntables, and many other solutions at cost-effective rates.
The company aims to help its clients improve their industrial processes without compromising their financial budget. Email them or call them to schedule a consultation with the experts if you need more information about their extensive range of systems for moving heavy machinery.
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