The hidden hygiene risks of sinks and how to solve them

In hygiene-critical industries, every detail matters – and that includes your sinks. This critical equipment can easily become a source of bacterial growth and cross-contamination if not designed and maintained correctly. Poor drainage, difficult-to-clean surfaces and hand-contact contamination are just some of the risks that can compromise compliance with HACCP, BRCGS & GMP standards.

Teknomek sinks are designed to prioritise hygiene within demanding work environments so that businesses can stay compliant to the latest hygiene regulations. In this blog, we’ll explore the key hygiene risks associated with sinks in high-care environments and how Teknomek’s range of specialist sinks provide the ultimate solution for food and pharmaceutical environments.

How we reduce the risk of bacteria

Using a minimum of 304L-grade stainless steel for quick and effective cleaning, our sinks feature reduced dirt traps, enhanced drainage and splash prevention to tackle the most pressing hygiene challenges head-on. Every care has been taken to reduce horizontal surfaces where moisture can pool and cause bacterial growth (such as Listeria). This has been achieved via the use of various design aspects such as sloping tops which is a feature shared by many of our furniture collections. Additionally, our wash troughs feature a sloped, self-draining bowl, preventing splashback and ensuring efficient water flow.

For sinks used during production, we offer utility sinks, sinks with shelves and single sinks with two door cupboards, all featuring deep bowls with a minimum depth of 300mm (model-dependent). This versatile design accommodates various tasks while effectively containing water, reducing splashback and maintaining hygiene compliance in high-use environments.

To further reduce touchpoints and prevent cross-contamination, many of our sinks are available with touch-free operation via a knee lever or an infra-red tap. This helps to maintain a high level of hygienic compliance among staff and can also help cut costs by reducing water wastage. While the knee-operated version allows staff to control the water flow for as long as they need, our infra-red taps can be paired with our programmer to control the duration of the water stream. The programmer can also be used to provide valuable data, enabling hygiene managers to compare usage across shifts to ensure hygiene among the workforce.

Sink placement in high-risk, hygienic zones

In high-risk environments such as food production, pharmaceutical cleanrooms and healthcare facilities, poorly positioned sinks can lead to breaches in hygiene protocols, bacterial spread and operational inefficiencies. Here’s how optimal sink placement improves hygiene and safety:

Within handwashing stations:

Handwashing stations should be located at all entry points to hygienic areas and production zones. This not only enforces hygiene among staff and acts as a reminder of hygienic processes but also helps to mark the transition between hygienic areas. By having numerous handwashing points across a facility, hygiene managers can incorporate stations into various staff flows to encourage frequent handwashing.

Within production areas:

Any sinks within production zones or high-hygiene areas should be positioned where they are easily accessible to staff, but far enough away to prevent water splashes and aerosols from compromising production lines or the sterility of hygienic areas. Sinks should also be positioned near effective drainage, such as our ACO Hygiene First or Modular 125 systems, to prevent standing water caused during the washdown process.

Customisation is key to meeting industry regulations in areas short on space or operating under particular workspace constraints. We offer a selection of taps including deck and fascia-mounted options as well as pre-rinse units for use with our range of cupboard sinks. These sinks are available in a variety of door and cupboard configurations to suit all of your storage needs.