By Mark McInnes
Cleaning is a fundamental for the safety of any environment. The deposit of microbial organisms on surfaces occurs continuously and may lead to the formation of biofilms in areas where organic matter supports microbial growth. Subsequent colonization purports a significant risk to health should any of the species be pathogenic.
Proper industrial cleaning is a multifaceted process involving several steps. Although various guidelines exist depending on the environment, they all follow a similar procedure. It starts with a hazard analysis to determine areas where contamination is likely to occur. This is followed by an analysis of the risk associated with certain levels of contamination based on which species are present. Once these have been established, cleaning, and when necessary, disinfection is implemented. These are then audited using verification procedures to ensure effectiveness.