Top 3 Things to Things to Keep Clean & Maintained in a Manufacturing Facility
It’s no secret that manufacturing facilities can sometimes be hard to keep sparkling. So much goes on in a manufacturing environment – product assembly, packaging, you name it – that sometimes it’s all that staff can do to keep things running as normal, let alone keep them pristine.
A spotless manufacturing facility is always best, and the needs of each particular building are individual. If your manufacturing facility is looking a little worse for wear, The Firm Facility Services, your nationwide, turn-key facility maintenance team, is here to help!
Here’s a checklist for the most important things that need to be sparkling and maintained in manufacturing facilities.
1. Cleanrooms
If it’s got clean in the name, then clean it should be!
Cleanrooms are spaces in manufacturing plants that are highly regulated in terms of sanitation. As Plant Engineering explains, these rooms “are strictly controlled, using high-efficiency particulate attenuation (HEPA) filters to remove airborne particles, ionizing grids to neutralize static that attracts particles, and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment to exhaust air and particles outside the cleanroom and maintain positive cleanroom air pressure.”
These rooms are made with such stringent protocols so that particles cannot interfere with the product being created, which is frequently small; They’re very important to keep tidy with facility maintenance.
Cleaning Protocol
The cleaning protocol for a cleanroom requires using approved cleaning products for that particular room. Cleanrooms require strict protocols regarding contamination, which means that proper gowning is vital for anyone who enters the room, including the facility staff.
All surfaces should be regularly cleaned and documented so everyone knows the last time the room was cleaned. Airborne particulate levels should also be monitored on a regular basis.
Maintenance
Regular preventative maintenance is essential for cleanrooms, which includes the HVAC system, filters, lighting, and all the systems that are part of what makes the cleanroom a cleanroom.
All the equipment in the cleanroom should be maintained regularly to ensure proper operation. Broken equipment means work stoppage, which also can introduce more problems in the cleanroom when people have to enter to make repairs.
2. High-Risk Areas
By this, we mean any area where a worker engages with heavy machinery or hazardous chemicals – anywhere a slip or wrong move can lead to injury or death, thanks to residue or trash.
Your workers deserve a space safe to work, as per the applicable OSHA regulations.
Cleaning Protocol
Keeping these high-risk areas clean with janitorial services is not only responsible and ethical but legally sound as well. Every space should have a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for cleaning that each janitor will follow during cleaning.
In this SOP, cleaning procedures should include the removal of residues and contaminants from equipment and surfaces. It is also essential to use the correct cleaning products for high-risk areas. Using the wrong cleaning solutions on surfaces can cause slippery or sticky surfaces that make the area more dangerous.
High-risk areas should also be cleaned and sanitized depending on the equipment.
Maintenance
Air filtration and HVAC systems should be regularly maintained and checked for potential problems. Safe and unsafe areas should always be marked in a clear manner to keep people from standing in dangerous areas.
Regular equipment preventative maintenance should occur to keep everything working smoothly and less likely to break down, which could cause an accident. Regular inspections are a no-brainer when it comes to maintaining high-risk areas.
3. Break Rooms
Never underestimate the importance of worker morale! A happier, well-cared-for team is one that works harder, stresses less, and generally feels happier coming in to do their job – which can bump up your bottom line and revolutionize your company culture.
Though you might not need to provide your team with all the bells and whistles in their breakrooms, keeping them tidy and well-maintained can do wonders to boost it.
Cleaning Protocol
Break rooms should be cleaned several times a day, particularly if there are different shifts working in your manufacturing facility. Surfaces and high-touch points should be cleaned on a regular basis, and all supplies should be stocked, such as paper towels and soap.
Cleaning up remnants of food is also important for controlling pest invasions. No one wants to eat with mice or ants crawling around. Employees should also be encouraged to clean up after themselves to help the janitorial staff keep the space clean.
Maintenance
Regular HVAC maintenance is essential for break rooms because germs can spread in these areas. Changing out air filters regularly is vital for keeping employees healthy.
Regular inspections of any equipment in the break rooms will help keep the employees happier; No one wants to work if the coffee machine is broken.
Chairs and tables should be kept in good repair to avoid breaks, which can cause harm to the employees using them.
The Firm Facility Services: Commercial Maintenance That Fits Your Needs
Every manufacturing company is individualized, and our nationwide facility maintenance pros would be happy to learn more about what can make your operation shine. Give our Minneapolis office a call today at 1-833-247-6411.