Preventing Cross-contamination in Manufacturing Facilities

The quality of products people consume or that go into their bodies is vital. This quality can reduce if there is cross-contamination, which can have dire effects in industries such as the food industry. For example, cross-contamination of allergens can be fatal for people allergic to that contaminant. And this can also happen in the pharmaceutical industry. So, how can manufacturing facilities eliminate or prevent cross-contamination?

Ensure the Building is Designed Well

The building’s design is the first line of defence against cross-contamination. The facility should be secure enough to keep insects, birds and other pests out. The building should also have security features that do not allow entry by unauthorised parties. These security measures also prevent people from using the manufacturing floor as a pathway to other sections of the building or plant.

Have Separate Manufacturing Areas

A manufacturing plant likely manufactures multiple products if there is potential for cross-contamination. In cases like this, having separate manufacturing floors for different products is critical. This physical separation reduces contamination caused by factors like moving air or personnel.

When you have separate floors, personnel must remove all protective equipment and wear different ones when moving from one to the next. The reason is that no matter how careful a person is, some of the products they are working on will inevitably get on their protective equipment. 

If they walk into another floor wearing the same equipment, they carry the contaminant with them and become the source of cross-contamination.

Have Robust Cleaning and Hygiene Processes

The best way to prevent cross-contamination, whether you are in pharmaceuticals or the food industry, is having robust cleaning and hygiene processes in place. Start by creating a documented cleaning process that your staff can understand and follow. 

In that plan, mandate that they clean everything, including the walls, equipment, floor and all surfaces where contaminants or dirt can settle. Remember to use procedures, chemicals and equipment that are specifically designed for your specific industry.

Businesses without a permanent cleaning team can rely on the industrial cleaning services of cleaning specialists like SMC Premier Group. Their teams have decades of experience working in different manufacturing plants and specialist work areas. They also have robust procedures in place to ensure a thorough cleaning.

Ensure the Equipment Does Not Cause Cross-contamination

Equipment can also be a source of cross-contamination if managers and workers are not careful. When buying equipment, managers should ensure that it is made out ofmaterials that are neither absorptive nor additive. Absorptive materials retain some product leading to the contamination of a new batch, while additive materials contaminate the product.

When cleaning, it is best to avoid equipment that has brushes, bristles or fibres. These can aerosolise the product if it is a powder or shed material that contaminates it. Lastly, clean all equipment thoroughly before moving it from one area to another.

Cross-contamination is a serious concern when manufacturing products like pharmaceuticals or food. Businesses have to put measures and procedures in place to prevent it from happening or eliminate it. Remember to let workers know that cross-contamination can happen so they can be active participants in preventing it.