Why Equipment Sanitation Is Essential for Worker Safety

Given that Improper equipment sanitation can cause unnecessary injuries, here's what employers can do to ensure the well-being of their workforce.

• By Jane Marsh
• Mar 19, 2024

Improper equipment sanitation can cause unnecessary injuries. What can employers do to ensure the well-being of their workforce?

Unsanitary Equipment Causes Injuries and Fatalities 

As many construction workers can attest, inadequate sanitation efforts continue affecting workers even when they’re off the clock. A study revealed construction workers have been exposing themselves and their families to unsafe levels of arsenic, lead, manganese, chromium, copper and nickel because of contamination at their job sites.

Although toxic metals are relatively harmless in small doses, long-term, consistent or concentrated exposure negatively affects health. The workers in the study brought home an average of 30 separate hazardous contaminants, so the impact was amplified. 

Many workers inadvertently exposed their children — who are more susceptible to heavy metal poisoning — to contaminants like arsenic and tin dust on a daily basis. Although take-home exposure is a well-documented health hazard, upper management and industrial hygienists should still consider its presence unacceptable in the modern workplace. 

The Role of Equipment Sanitation in the Workplace

Sanitation isn’t just essential in food manufacturing, health care, construction or agriculture, but office, public utilities and academic workers deserve hygienic workplaces too. Even though contaminated equipment jeopardizes their well-being, many protocols are lacking. In fact, they may even make things worse with the illusion of cleanliness. 

For instance, one study revealed medical instrument reprocessing — a multi-step sterilization process — can spread pathogens. Personal protective equipment does not adequately protect personnel and nearby surfaces from exposure caused by splashing and moisture dispersal. Almost every single reprocessing method results in visible droplets. 

Many industries fall short of acceptable hygiene standards without realizing it. Even well-trained professionals who specialize in fields where sterilization is of the utmost importance may be unaware of their sanitation-related shortcomings, highlighting the importance of adequate awareness, protocols and resources. 

How Poor Equipment Sanitation Impacts Worker Safety 

All facilities become unsanitary unless workers observe strict sanitation procedures, regardless of the industry. Contaminant buildup can severely damage equipment over time, shortening its life span drastically. Whether businesses forget to clean their ventilation systems or manufacturers grow lax with assembly-line sterilization, the consequences can be dangerous.

If manned equipment damaged by contaminant buildup fails during operation, workers can be struck, burnt, lacerated, electrocuted or crushed. Depending on the workspace and size of the machine, any nearby colleagues could potentially become injured as well. 

Unmanned equipment can also seriously harm individuals. Workers often trip or fall because of material hazards that are a byproduct of unsanitary conditions. Although slip-and-fall accidents are typically nonfatal, they happen frequently. In 2020, they accounted for 18 percent of all nonfatal workplace injuries in the United States.

Workers using unsanitary equipment also risk contracting diseases since any amount of exposed skin, clothing or hair can be a carrier for microorganisms, fungi, pests, viruses or heavy metals. For example, long-term exposure to chemical waste can lead to the development of health problems like cancer, even at small doses.

Workers can quickly become ill due to poorly sanitized equipment. Pests like ants, cockroaches, mice and beetles may nest in facilities because they’re drawn to the dark, warm gaps in machinery. They cause cross-contamination issues, spreading infectious diseases throughout the workforce.

Best Sanitation Practices Employers Should Follow 

Employers should follow sanitation best practices to protect their workers’ well-being.

Consider Contact and Non-Product Contact Surfaces

Although many employers only consider contact surfaces to be vitally important aspects of workplace sanitation, they should include non-product contact surfaces in their procedures as well. Remember to consider walls, floors, ceilings and fixtures, which workers may interact with.

Reconsider Equipment Placement

Equipment placement can substantially affect the effectiveness of sanitation because workers are less likely to follow protocol if they struggle with hard-to-reach components. While cleaning out of place is an acceptable solution, not all machinery can be disassembled. Employers should consider how their layouts impact contamination buildup and transfer.

Allow Enough Time for Sanitation to Be Effective

Commercial cleaning solutions and solvents are more potent than their household counterparts but still need time to work. Chemical sterilants can take up to 12 hours to be effective. Although high, intermediate and low-level alternatives kill viruses, bacteria and fungi faster, their usefulness diminishes as their exposure periods shorten.

Prioritize Sanitation Frequency Above All Else

The importance of sanitation frequency cannot be overstated. As most customer service, construction and health care workers know, contaminants like grease, oil and bacteria build up rapidly. An organization-wide effort where workers of every hierarchical level and shift type prioritize hygiene is essential.

The Importance of Consistent Equipment Sanitation

Employers who prioritize equipment sanitation reduce the risk of harm to their workers. Thorough, frequent adherence to the best practices is essential to promote safety.