When it comes to floorcare in the food and beverage (F&B) and related industries, a functional, purpose-built surface is always the best option for any hygienic production environment. Surfaces that slope slightly and prevent pooling with adequate drainage points go a long way to keeping the facility clean and dry, especially when undergoing an open-plant cleaning operation. Additionally, floors that are non-slip, easy to clean, and durable provide a safe and attractive place to work for workers.
Sadly, not all businesses have these types of flooring solutions and do not want to invest vast amounts of capital in improving their landlord’s property. That said, they remain responsible for keeping their operation in line with local and national health regulations, and floorcare is as important for them as in larger concerns.
Thankfully, we at Pescatech offer immediate solutions. From informed advice, in-depth surveys, sealing formulas, and cleaning chemicals to the most advanced factory tools and cleaning equipment available in Southern Africa today, we can assist you in retaining your food-production licence.
In this article, we will share reasons why it is imperative to maintain your floors and inform you of a few best practices for maintaining and restoring your damaged or ageing surfaces.
5 Reasons Why Responsible Floorcare is Important
Whether you practice your business in the F&B sector or not, there are several reasons why it is essential to clean and maintain factory floors daily. Some of these include:
- Durability: Factory floors are subjected to some of the most rigorous abuse and wear and tear. Production equipment, wheels, rollers, and trolleys are constantly pushed over them and workers use the walkways and passages to transverse from one station to another. Moreover, heavy machinery is sometimes placed in line with the production process, potentially damaging the flooring beneath. Additionally, they are often exposed to chemicals, hazardous materials, and other substances. Daily cleaning and maintenance help to extend the lifespan of your floors and keep them looking good.
- Productivity: Clean and well-maintained floors assist in improving staff morale and productivity by creating a safe and comfortable work environment for employees. Slip-and-fall hazards are reduced, and workers are less likely to be distracted by dirty or damaged floors.
- Aesthetics: First impressions last, and your factory floor is a reflection of your business. Workers, clients, inspectors, and health officials see clean and well-maintained floors as a reflection of how serious you are about the products you manufacture or produce and that you care about the facility’s appearance.
- Food Safety: Most importantly, food safety is paramount in the F&B industry. Dirty, unhygienic floors can contain germs and other harmful bacteria. Cross-contamination from floors to working surfaces can lead to foodborne illnesses, which can lead to devastating consequences for both consumers and business owners.
Maintaining and Restoring Factory Floors
Industrial flooring is typically made from hard-wearing surfaces like concrete, tiles, or linoleum, for example. Sometimes, these are sealed or finished with non-slip paints and easy-to-clean sealant products. However, regardless of how well you maintain these surfaces, they are subject to wear and tear and ageing. So, it is important to carry out regular checks for damage and restore them quickly.
Once faults or flaws are detected, repair them immediately. Remove the damaged medium, clean, prepare, and sterilise the area, and then repair and reseal the surface with the same or similar materials. This is often a specialised process, and you should consider professionals as, if it is not repaired correctly, it could lead to more serious damage that might require a line shutdown.
6 Additional Best Practices for Optimal Floorcare and Maintenance
Here are a few additional best practices we recommend you follow:
- Sweep and mop daily. Do this more frequently, between shifts or lunch breaks, if you are in the F&B sector.
- Create a cleaning schedule, including regular open-plant cleaning sessions, and police it rigidly.
- Use specialised cleaning chemicals and only superior-quality cleaning equipment.
- Keep workers hygienically clean through automated boot scrubbing and hand-cleaning stations.
- Make reporting damage to the floors an employee’s responsibility, albeit small cracks or chipped tiles.
- Repair reported damage promptly through trained specialists.
Floorcare and More through Pescatech
At Pescatech, we travel the globe to consistently update best practices in the floorcare and cleaning industry and learn from our internationally renowned suppliers. We then apply what we have learned to the South African marketplace, offering expert advice, informed pre-planning, excellent after-sales service, and superior-quality products, cleaning tools, and equipment.
If you are looking for a holistic approach to cleaning your factory, consider joining our community of happy, satisfied customers. Contact us now, because at Pescatech, food safety is everything.
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