How to Create a Clean Manufacturing Environment

Most manufacturing plants don’t have a reputation for being clean and organized.

However, there are plenty of benefits to a clean manufacturing setting. They tend to be safer, more organized, and more efficient. The challenge is creating and then maintaining a clean manufacturing environment. Cleaning checklist templates can help any business stay on top of its cleaning needs. But what kinds of things belong on those checklists that can help keep a manufacturing plant clean? Let’s look at some things any manufacturing company can do to maintain a clean environment.

Report and Clean Spills

In manufacturing, it can be almost impossible to always prevent spills and other types of messes. After all, it can be a dirty job. However, the best way to mitigate that issue is to instruct employees to report and clean spills right away. It can be tempting for employees to get back to work right away. But in order to maintain a commitment to a clean workplace, everyone must know that cleaning up spills and other messes is a top priority.

Keep Cleaning and Maintenance Schedules

While spills often happen spontaneously, other types of cleaning and maintenance jobs need to be scheduled. Sticking to a cleaning schedule is essential for being able to maintain a clean environment, especially in manufacturing. Granted, some areas should be cleaned daily while others weekly. The point is that every work area should receive regular cleaning that’s appropriate for staying ahead of the curve. The same principle applies to performing routine maintenance on machinery that can keep equipment functioning properly and keeping things as clean as possible.

Reduce Movement

One of the biggest causes of dirty and messy manufacturing settings is the amount of movement that takes place. Obviously, not all of this can be eliminated. However, companies should explore ways to reduce how much employees are moving around during the manufacturing process. The more people, equipment, and vehicles are moving, the more likely things are to be misplaced or cluttered. With less movement, it’s much easier to keep things clean and organized.

Maintain HVAC System

Dust is one of the biggest pollutants in a manufacturing setting and it can be difficult to keep that from happening. But one of the best ways of dealing with it is to have a high-functioning HVAC system. This means performing regular maintenance on the system and replacing air filters every couple of months. It also helps to wipe everything down frequently. However, taking care of the building’s HVAC system is the best way to prevent dust from building up.

Provide Cleaning Supplies

It’s one thing to encourage employees to take cleaning seriously but it’s another thing to give them the tools they need. By providing workers with cleaning supplies and training on how to clean properly, they will be more likely to perform the type of cleaning duties needed to keep the workplace clean. The types of cleaning supplies will vary by workplace. But if those aren’t provided by the employer, workers won’t be able to do their part in maintaining a clean workplace and making this a point of emphasis.

Address Workplace Safety

In addition to emphasizing cleaning, it’s critical for manufacturers to pay close attention to employee health and safety. This becomes much easier with the software solutions offered by EHS Insight. We have created a system that helps to oversee every aspect of workplace health and safety. That means everything from hazard identification to safety training to compliance is all on a single platform. Therefore, everything is more organized, leading to a safer workplace for everyone.

If you strive to have the safest and cleanest workplace possible, let’s discuss your safety needs and how we can help you create a safe environment for your employees.