Health and safety failings in the workplace continue to make the headlines, and for good reason. It was estimated in 2015/16, that 621,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries. Such incidents can cause many problems for those individuals affected and could have been avoided if better health and safety processes were initially enforced. 

As employers strive to keep abreast of competition and keep efficiency high, processes are changed and often, new machinery is introduced. When the demand to achieve higher targets takes precedence, smaller details such as cleaning equipment are given less focus. When completing such maintenance tasks amidst the pressure for efficiency, health and safety failings could occur, impacting safety and productivity simultaneously. 

Rags are commonly used to clean machinery and the workplace but this can cause problems. They clutter the area and could harbour dangerous chemicals and dusts. These traditional methods of cleaning are no longer the only option; new alternatives are available that are safer to use and more time efficient.

Nonwoven solutions

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999), employers have a legal duty to assess all risks that could impact the health and safety of employees.    

Cluttering the workplace, over-extension, awkward postures, repetitive movements, chemical hazards and dust inhalation are just some of the problems that could result from using rags, potentially impacting both the health and the safety of operators. Rags may also be left lying around the workplace due to a lack of dispensers, causing hygiene and safety issues and supplies not easily accessible. 

Nonwoven cloths, such as those designed by Tork, could be the answer to improving health and safety procedures. Such cleaning materials are proven to enhance hygiene and safety, using 41% less solvents than rags, saving 35% more time, and requiring 26% less storage space.

These cloths are dispensed from a fixed dispenser or portable box which reduces waste and environmental impact and also enables employees to easily pick out a cloth whilst wearing gloves. As the cloths are so easy to use, individuals can work in a smarter and safer way, increasing worker satisfaction as the maintenance task can be completed more quickly, ultimately improving processes in the workplace.

Clean slate

Sentencing guidelines for health and safety failings continue to get tougher. Employers need to take a closer look at finer details such as cleaning and maintenance procedures, ensuring potential incidents are prevented. Investing time in learning how to change cleaning processes could prove invaluable. Cleaning is more than a routine task – it could be the difference between risking an employee’s life or managing an effective, efficient and productive workforce.