Preventing Cross Contamination When Cleaning
Cross contamination has been an issue in many industries, especially in food and health care. Cross contamination happens when bacteria is transferred from one surface to another, and usually occurs on food or people. Once this happens, illness and food poisoning would soon follow. One major contributor to this is inappropriate hygiene or the lack of it, and incorrect cleaning practices. Both seem to have easy solutions as they’re both easy to teach, but the hard part comes when conscious effort lacks.
Examples of unhygienic practices are: not washing of hands after using the toilet, or touching raw food. Another is dirty workstations due to dust and food particles. And unfortunately, incorrect cleaning practices also contribute to cross contamination. Cleaning multiple areas with the same cleaning tools or supplies can cause cross contamination. Imagine what types of bacteria can thrive in a computer keyboard after being cleaned with a rag that’s been used to clean the toilet?
In order to prevent cross contamination, it is important to properly communicate to employees that hygienic practices should be followed to avoid cross-contamination. Cleaners should likewise be trained with the proper ways of cleaning:
• Constantly remind them that cleaning means removing pollutants and contaminants, and not just transferring them around.
• Keep entry ways clean with dirt-trapping mats and hand sanitizers.
• Remind cleaners to always wash their hands and keep their equipment clean.
• Always clean touch-points like door and faucet knobs.
• Carpets and rugs should be vacuumed, washed, rinsed, and dried properly to avoid mold growth.
• Instead of commercial cleaning chemicals, use eco-friendly cleaning agents.
• Properly apply disinfectants to restrooms and leave it for some time to take full effect.
And last but not least, segregate cleaning products, equipment, and tools. Those used to clean the restrooms should be different from those used to clean the kitchen or pantry. It is advisable to use a color-coding scheme for better segregation. Cleaning systems like GEP’s MicroKleen Hygiene System helps eliminate cross contamination through color coded method. It’s also ergonomically designed to reduce chemical consumption by 95% and water consumption by 90%. MicroKleen Hygiene System is just one of the many sustainability tools from GoodEarth Products, LLC, one of the leading sustainability solutions providers in the country today.
photo credit: johnsember
photo credit: Anthony Albright
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