PROCESS SAFETY FEATURE


MAKING THE SWITCH TO NON-WOVEN WIPES Anders Hellqvist, Tork assortment manager Wiping & Cleaning, discusses how non-woven


wipes are a new, safer alternative to traditional rags for cleaning machinery in the workplace


With the uncertainty of Brexit, turbulent times could be ahead for our industrial sector. In the UK, the manufacturing industry directly employs 2.7 million people. It is a vital part of international trade. To keep up with the potential rise in pressure, business owners must ensure fundamental processes are as efficient as possible.


Employers are investing in the latest machinery to keep abreast of


competition but often, when the demand to achieve higher targets takes precedence, smaller details such as cleaning equipment can be given less focus. General maintenance tasks such as this may be regarded as mundane but they actually account for a large portion of work required in an industrial environment, and efficiency is immediately impacted when done incorrectly. Rags are commonly used to clean machinery and the workplace but


this can cause problems. They clutter the area and could harbour dangerous chemicals and dusts. These traditional methods of cleaning are no longer the only option as new alternatives are available that are safer to use and more time efficient.


RAGS TO RICHES Cleaning is a vital process that, if done correctly, could improve health and safety practises and workplace presentability. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999), employers have a legal duty to assess all risks


that could impact the health and safety of employees. Cleaning must be a process that is taken seriously. Rags can be completely soaked in solvent chemicals that evaporate into the air. This exposure is potentially damaging to the health of operators. They can also be left lying around the workplace and be unhygienic and unsafe. A lack of dispensers for rags also means cleaning supplies are not close to hand. Further time is then wasted sorting and choosing mixed rags. Employers need to take this issue seriously and look at new methods that could help to reduce health and safety risks. Non-woven cloths are proven to enhance hygiene and safety, using 41 per cent less solvents than rags, saving 35 per cent more time, and requiring 26 per cent less storage space. These cloths are dispensed from a fixed dispenser or portable box which reduces waste and environmental impact and also enables employees to easily pick out a cloth whilst wearing gloves. As the cloths are easy to use, individuals can work in a smarter and safer way, increasing worker satisfaction as the maintenance task can be completed more quickly, ultimately improving processes in the workplace.


A CLEAN SLATE Implementing new procedures that seek to save employers time and money will simultaneously improve health and safety and worker productivity. Investing time in learning how to change cleaning processes could prove invaluable. We face uncertain times ahead, so take a closer look at the finer details to secure a successful future for your workforce.


Tork www.tork.co.uk


/ INDU STRIALCOMPLIANCE


INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE | AUTUMN 2017


13


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32