July/August 2020

for the “new normal”. The option of implementing or expanding flexible working arrangements may also need to be considered at some point where feasible.” The biggest obstacle, that Steve Smith says manufacturers are having to overcome to maintain their facilities during the COVID-19 environment is implementing government guidelines regarding employee safety and social distancing within the manufacturing facility. These are normally facilities that are very worker dense, where he says working from home is not an option for most of the manufacturing sector: “The economic impact of having to supply all employees with appropriate PPE and sanitisation products will almost certainly incur added costs.” Hi-Kleen However as Steve Smith highlights, there are effective methods of helping to keep premises clean as part of an overall strategy identified during a COVID-19 risk assessment for a facility, which are not cost prohibitive. Smith explains that his company’s product - Hi-Kleen - has been specially formulated to kill/inhibit both bacteria and viruses (including enveloped viruses such as coronavirus) for up to five hours on a variety of surfaces such as handles, handrails, doors, tables and desks, and other areas of frequent contact: “Active biocides present in the formulation provide a longer lasting protection than alcohol-based preparations. It does not stain, is non-corrosive and will give a streak and smear free finish to most polished surfaces including glass and stainless steel.” He adds that the product meets all requirements of BS EN 1276 and 1650 for food handling area sanitisation/disinfection. BS EN 1276 is the European standard for the bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and provides proof of efficacy in the control of harmful micro-organisms. In order to meet the standard, products are tested by an independent laboratory. The product is supplied in 500ml aerosols for small area, targeted use and also 17kg canisters for larger areas. It is suitable to treat surfaces in a wide variety of situations from schools, medical centres, dental practises through to manufacturing facilities and food preparation processing areas. It’s also a validated substance with full documentation and its own safety documentation MSDS, all of which are supplied with the product. Propellants and sanitiser itself are made to strict ISO standards BS EN1276, however due to its nature as an anti bacterial killer, care has to be taken and full PPE should be worn, and he says it’s as environmentally friendly as possible and all kegs and canisters can be fully recycled. Misinformation Steve Smith also highlights the problem of misinformation and the differences and effectiveness of cleaning products in the market to choose from that state they are effective against COVID-19. This ranges from certain world leaders suggesting that injecting with disinfectant will cure COVID-19 through to reports on social media that bleach will kill the virus. It’s no surprise then that manufacturers among others are finding it difficult to choose. He says that although theoretically you could use a 100% peroxide or bleach, he warns it’s not safe and you can’t put bleach all over your desk, laptop or place setting: “Hi-Kleen has been devised to safely provide an application that will eliminate Coronaviruses and Sars. We saw too many people only a few months ago with cloths and sprays cleaning down and erroneously thinking they were doing it correctly. Remember the public service announcements on hand washing? Now we all use hand sanitisers.” Ultimately he highlights how this pandemic is a massive reset on how we do everything: “It’s going to be around until the world has a vaccine and like smallpox or TB it will take years to eradicate.” Engaging with employees Steve Smith concludes that employees will also need to fully engage in any new cleaning regimes that are implemented. On top of this he explains it is important on a personal level for workers to clean up after themselves and regularly sanitise work areas. In addition, if sanitisers and PPE are provided it is imperative they are used alongside washing hands, which Steve Smith states is equally important. Moving forward new cleaning regimes will have to be considered “the new normal” and be permanently implemented. We will be sanitising as part of everyday life - it’s the new normal. For further information please visit: www.hilineindustries.com or contact: 01283 533377 Insight July/August 2020 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 11