Food and beverageNewsProcess industries

Teknomek hygiene stations reduce cross-contamination and enhance safety

Teknomek has introduced five new automated hygiene stations to its range of hygienic furniture and equipment.

The move is described as part of its ongoing mission to provide professionals within the food industry with cost effective and time-saving solutions to ensure they are audit-ready.

The hygiene specialists noted that even the most effectively designed food processing area, and the most hygienically designed food processing equipment, will not support food safety if people working in the area don’t follow (or are hindered from following) the correct hygienic procedures.

Poorly washed hands and unclean footwear are two of the major sources and routes for cross-contamination in the food industry.

BRCGS Food Safety Standard Issue 9 places increased importance on premises and equipment hygiene and pest control. Both areas are significantly impacted by the hygienic practices of personnel entering and leaving the workspace.

Well-organised changing rooms/gowning stations with ‘nudge theory’ always have a “high chance of human error”, especially when personnel are hurrying to get to the factory floor or rushing to get home after a shift.

Teknomek says its five new hygiene stations remove the risk of staff members not following essential hygiene protocols by automating the sanitisation process and preventing corners from being cut.

The hygiene stations streamline both the hand washing process and the boot washing process. Each station has a turnstile so that personnel cannot enter the food processing production area before the hand/footwear sanitisation process has been completed.

Michelle Locke, product and marketing manager at Teknomek, says in any business where hygiene is a priority, staff are always going to be one of the biggest risk factors.

“The five new hygiene stations we have introduced remove the risk of human error by automating the personal sanitisation process,” Locke explains. “When each stage has been completed, such as hand washing, the next stage will begin. Only when all elements of the process have been completed will the light go on, the turnstile will release, and the staff member can move on to the work area.”

The five hygiene station variations have been developed to offer a range of solutions for different businesses and sectors.

Locke adds: “Our hygiene stations range in size, complexity and capacity, to ensure that there is a unit which is perfect for purpose, whatever the customer’s needs.

“Whilst the speediest of our hygiene stations will allow up to 15 operatives to pass through in a minute, we will recommend the best station for a customer depending on the industry and the necessary level of sanitisation.”

Teknomek’s hygiene stations can also be adapted to suit specific business needs. For example, card swipers can be incorporated for companies using personnel identification cards as part of their safety and security systems. Similarly, comprehensive hand sanitisation stations can be provided without a boot washer.

Teknomek’s new range of hygiene stations start at £6,679 +VAT and are made from 304-grade stainless steel to ensure they are robust enough to stand up to rigorous cleaning and long-term use.

Related content