Whether you are in a cleanroom, laboratory or food processing area, the type of table you use can impact the success of your hygienic environment. Keeping you up to code with the latest hygiene regulations, the right worktable can minimise contamination and reduce the particle count as well as the chance of back injury for staff. This is why our range of tables are designed to not only meet, but overcome, the most stringent of hygiene standards without compromising on durability or functionality.
In this blog, we will discuss the considerations to make before your next big table purchase as well as explore the hygienic details and options available to you.
How can you avoid back injury in the workplace with the correct table height
In 2023, UK workers took over 8 million sick days for back pain alone*. With this in mind, it is worth investing in a table with the right height to enable staff to complete the task at hand, pain-free.
Are you seated or standing?
The majority of our stainless steel tables stand at a height of 840mm to facilitate productive working whilst standing. Although we offer high chairs to accommodate versatile multi-purpose working, we also offer stainless steel desks featuring the optimum work surface height of 730mm to suit seated work environments. These desks can be customised for your hygienic work requirements using our static desk add-on range.
Ergonomic tables
For environments needing to tackle a variety of tasks or with multiple workers per station, the best solution to avoid back injuries is the use of an ergonomic table. Available with either manual or electronic adjustment systems, the table height can be modified within a 300mm range with heights measuring from 700-1000mm in total. This not only ensures that the work surface is level, but also provides a comfortable table for workers of all heights and statures to avoid injury.
Think about the table top for the task at hand
We aim to offer a range of hygienic table designs to suit any and every purpose in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our design team is ready and waiting to help create the very best hygienic solution with both customisable and bespoke stainless steel table options available upon request.
Stainless steel tables
From food preparation to the handling of chemicals and compounds, stainless steel tables offer a smooth, non-porous surface that is durable and easy to clean. With high corrosion resistance, they stand the test of time and can withstand stringent cleaning regimes.
Our stainless steel tables are also available with a perforated table top. These tabletops are well-suited to sterile cleanroom environments thanks to the reduced surface area allowing less contaminants and particles to settle thereby minimising particle counts.
These perforated stainless steel tables are also ideal for areas that need increased air circulation such as temperature controlled or humid environments. The increased air flow around each item placed on the perforated surface helps to prevent moisture, mould and mildew from forming. The avoidance of moisture accumulation is further aided by the enhanced drainage (via the perforations) creating a quicker clean down process for both the food and pharmaceutical sectors.
Poly top tables
For specific use in the food sector, we offer poly top tables with a durable stainless steel frame. This frame is designed to hold food-grade, 25mm-thick polyethylene chopping boards in a range of colours in accordance to HACCP guidelines to minimise the chance of cross-contamination.
Laboratory tables
If you are working in a laboratory environment, you may want to opt for a tabletop with built-in anti-bacterial resistance. Both the Trespa and Sealwise range are available as a tabletop with a stainless steel frame. While both feature chemical resistance and durability, each range offers slightly different properties such as fire-retardance and water resistance which are further explored here.
Little details can make a big difference
We pride ourselves on our hygienic design features. While the table feet or tie bars may seem like small factors to consider, they can play a big role in the fight against bacteria and cross-contamination. The following details should be considered:
Types of tie bar
In the effort to minimise areas where dirt and debris can accumulate, many of our tables feature diamond or tubular tie bars. These design aspects allow both particulate matter and debris to easily slide off the bars rather than resting on the surface. This makes them easier and quicker to clean without the risk of moisture pooling.
Types of table feet
Our table feet are designed to provide stability and durability for various types of tables used in hygienic settings. While our heavy-duty tables are provided with stainless steel feet, our standard tables are available with either stainless steel or zinc feet that are floor levelling for maximum stability. Many also feature rubberised bases to prevent movement and to protect floor surfaces from accidental marks. An essential component for ensuring that tables remain secure and functional in demanding environments, we offer replacement feet on our website to ensure the longevity of your hygienic furniture and equipment.
Types of castor
Make your Teknomek table mobile with the handy addition of stainless steel castors. Offering the same level of durability and chemical resistance as the tables you rely on every day; these castors provide an easy way to move tables from room to room without compromising on quality.
Is there a stringent hygienic requirement?
If you require furniture for areas where stringent hygiene requirements apply, then the ultra-sterile Hygienox range may be the perfect solution. Originally designed in response to the demands of the pharmaceutical sector, Hygienox tables are manufactured in 316-grade stainless steel to offer a smoother finish and enhanced protection against pitting and crevice corrosion during the clean down process. This 316-grade stainless steel is also used for the feet and castors used in the Hygienox range to extend the durability and ensure that there are no weak points for corrosion to take place. With added easy clean features, such as tubular rear tie bars and open corners, Hygienox tables set the standard for ultra-sterile environments.
The Hygienox range is also available with an electropolished stainless steel finish. The ideal hygienic solution for pharmaceutical companies, and particularly for grade-B cleanrooms, electropolishing removes a microscopic layer from the stainless steel to achieve a smoother surface that is free from surface oxides and impurities. This makes it harder for bacteria to grow and form biofilms, allowing contaminants to be wiped away more easily and making the disinfection process more effective and longer lasting. This electropolishing process can be provided as part of a custom or bespoke order.
Shop the Teknomek way to explore our full range of hygienic tables and download our handy buying guide here.
Our team of Teknomexperts are also to available to help! Just call +44 (0)1603 788 833 or email mail@teknomek.co.uk with the details or your hygienic set up and we’ll find you the perfect solution.
*Statistic source: https://newsroom.simplyhealth.co.uk/workplace-health-crisis/
