When making any purchase for your hygienic work environment, the main concern should always be the potential risk of contamination. Is it easy to clean and will it speed up cleaning processes? Choosing furniture and equipment with reduced dirt traps is crucial for the maintenance of hygiene standards. Not only does it show compliance with the British Retail Consortium of Global Standards (BRCGS) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, but it also facilitates effective clean down processes that minimise the risk of contamination. By speeding up clean down times through the utilisation of hygienic designs, staff will be able to spend more time on production providing more financial benefits.
What is classed as a ‘dirt trap’?
A dirt trap refers to any area, feature, or design element in a piece of furniture that can accumulate and retain dirt, debris, moisture, or other contaminants, making it difficult to clean effectively. These areas can harbour bacteria, mould, or other harmful microorganisms and increase the risk of contamination in hygienic environments.
Examples of common dirt traps include everything from hinges, screws and bolts to corners and hard to reach areas. Any joins should be smooth and sealed to prevent it from becoming a harbourage point.
Why is material important?
Hygienic furniture and equipment should be manufactured from easy to clean materials that are both chemical and corrosion resistant. This ensures that all items within the hygienic environment can withstand the stringent hygiene regimes as well as the cleaning agents used. It is for this reason that we recommend the use of stainless steel in the majority of food and pharmaceutical environments. Many of our products are available in both 304 and 316-grade stainless steel with the choice of electropolishing, however which one you should choose is dependent on your unique hygienic requirements.
If you would rather opt for a different hygienic solution, we offer furniture and equipment in a range of hygienic materials such as Sealwise and Trespa lab furniture. Besides their shared chemical resistance and easy to clean design, all of our hygienic materials have a smooth surface. This is important as textured or rough surfaces can lead to the accumulation of ground in dirt and may even be classed as a dirt trap in itself.
How is Teknomek furniture & equipment more hygienic?
Teknomek customers can rely on the high quality and hygienic design of our furniture and equipment to help remove the chance of contamination. Where possible, we opt for open corners, reduced flat surfaces and diamond or tubular tie bars to reduce areas where dirt typically accumulates.
We also factor in drainage for during the clean down process with many of our storage solutions featuring drainage holes and sloping tops. This prevents liquid from pooling as stagnant water can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria such as Listeria. Keeping this in mind, we also offer several products with perforated surfaces including our heavy-duty table and range of wire, slatted and louvered shelving.
Ensuring compliance with hygiene regulations
Reduced dirt traps not only ensure compliance with regulations but also help maintain a safe and hygienic working environment. Afterall, the wrong choice of equipment can severely impact the integrity of the product being produced and potentially lead to recalls, fines or even site closures. To avoid damage to both finances and reputation, every effort should be made to create a hygienic environment free from contamination risks. This can be achieved by using furniture and equipment with a design that is not only hygienic, but also actively supports clean down processes within your organisation.
Upgrade your equipment today with the help of our team of Teknomek experts by calling 01603 788833 or email mail@teknomek.co.uk.
