The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted our way of life and forced many of us to adopt better personal hygiene and take a stronger stance on the cleanliness of our environments and public places. Warehouses are one of the most commonly used facilities by companies and a place where the virus can easily spread and infect people.
This is especially when the pandemic has accelerated the shift of e-commerce and more consumers are purchasing their goods online. The warehouse thus provides a storage facility for many goods and is a place for the packaging, organizing, and delivery of goods.
Cleaning and sanitizing of warehouses are important to keep workers safe and ensure the cleanliness of the environment. It also helps to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and ensures that your warehouse environment and its relevant operations comply with safety and health legislation.
Common Touchpoints and Equipment
It is important to wipe down and sanitize common touchpoints and heavily used equipment in the warehouse such as forklifts. Some common touchpoints include doorknobs, light switches, plugs, sinks, and toilets. Common touchpoints and heavily used equipment provide an avenue for the virus to spread as it can transmit via surfaces. They also come into contact with numerous workers, thereby increasing the risk of virus transmission.
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning involves cleaning the dust and dirt on the warehouse floors, walls, and shelves. This is because the dirt and dust will accumulate and pose a health risk if not cleaned. It is best to perform deep cleaning during days when the warehouse is not packed and during a slow time of the business flow.
Deep cleaning also involves decluttering common areas and storage areas. Sweeping and mopping of the warehouse floor, walls, and shelves should also be done. During the deep cleaning process, you should also check for any cracks, leaks, mold, or mildew in the warehouse. If you are using disinfectants to clean the common areas, then you should follow the instructions on the disinfectants.
When deep cleaning, make sure that all surfaces and equipment are properly wiped down before using heavy-duty cleaning products. This is because heavy-duty cleaning products work best when a surface has already been wiped down with a damp cloth, or with soap and water. When deep cleaning, you want to be as comprehensive as possible to minimize the risk of virus infection and to keep your environment clean.
Stock Up on Cleaning Supplies
You will be surprised how many cleaning supplies you require when cleaning your warehouse. Again, this varies for different companies based on the size and layout of their warehouse. However, it is always good to stock up on cleaning supplies especially if you frequently clean and sanitize your warehouse.
Having enough stock of cleaning supplies also ensures that your workers can clean commonly used equipment after daily usage and that their work environment is regularly kept clean. This prevents the build-up of dust, dirt, grime, and mold. Routine cleaning should also be performed on top of deep cleaning to ensure that the work environment is kept clean and neat.
