Disinfecting vs. Cleaning: What Manufacturing Facilities Need to Know During Flu Season
As flu season approaches, maintaining a healthy environment in manufacturing facilities becomes even more critical. One of the most effective ways to protect your workforce from illness is by ensuring that your facility is clean and properly disinfected. Understanding the difference between cleaning and disinfecting and why both are necessary can help create a safer, healthier workspace for your employees.
The Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting
Cleaning refers to removing dirt, dust, and debris from surfaces. This process involves using soap or detergent along with water to wipe away visible grime. While cleaning is essential for maintaining the appearance of surfaces, it doesn’t necessarily eliminate all germs or viruses that may be present.
Disinfecting, on the other hand, is specifically designed to kill harmful viruses and bacteria. Disinfectants are chemicals that destroy pathogens on surfaces, reducing the likelihood of these germs spreading to others. While cleaning can reduce some germs, disinfecting ensures that cold and flu viruses, such as influenza, are eradicated from high-touch surfaces.
Why Both Cleaning and Disinfecting Are Essential During Flu Season
During flu season, relying solely on cleaning or disinfecting alone won’t fully protect your workforce. Both processes are necessary to create a comprehensive strategy that minimizes the risk of illness in your facility.
1. Preventing the Spread of Flu Viruses
In manufacturing facilities, employees constantly interact with shared surfaces—whether at workstations, machinery or break rooms. High-touch areas are hotspots for flu viruses, which can survive on surfaces for hours or even days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that disinfecting these surfaces regularly is crucial to stopping the spread of flu. A cleaning regimen followed by disinfection ensures that viruses are effectively removed, helping prevent the spread of illness throughout your facility.
2. Supporting Employee Health and Productivity
During flu season, absenteeism due to illness can significantly affect productivity in manufacturing facilities. Regular cleaning and disinfection routines promote a healthier environment and show employees that their well-being is a top priority. A workplace that values health can help reduce sick days, keeping operations running smoothly during flu season.
3. Compliance with Health and Safety Standards
Manufacturing facilities must adhere to strict health and safety regulations, and maintaining proper hygiene standards is part of that. Regular cleaning and disinfecting practices help facilities meet safety guidelines while promoting a safe working environment. By integrating these practices into daily routines, facilities can mitigate health risks and avoid regulatory issues.
Key Areas in Manufacturing Facilities to Clean and Disinfect
To effectively minimize the spread of flu viruses, it’s essential to focus on high-touch areas that see frequent contact:
- Workstations and machinery controls
- Door handles and light switches
- Restrooms and break rooms
- Shared tools and equipment
- Office areas, such as desks and phones
Developing a routine that targets these areas for cleaning and disinfecting will help reduce the presence of viruses in your facility. Learn more about what the CDC recommends about when and how to clean and disinfect a facility.
Elite Touch: Your Partner for Flu Season Preparedness
At Elite Touch, we understand the importance of cleaning and disinfecting in manufacturing environments, especially during flu season. Our team provides customized cleaning and disinfection plans tailored to your facility’s needs, ensuring that high-touch areas are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to protect your workforce from illness.
With flu season on the horizon, now is the time to take proactive steps to safeguard your facility. Let us help you implement a cleaning and disinfection routine that keeps your employees healthy and your operations running smoothly.
Contact Elite Touch today to schedule a consultation and prepare your facility for flu season.
