Along with this infographic, Steve Gonzales, vice president of Technical Safety Services, provides a step-by-step guide of good practices in cleanrooms when manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Contamination control is among the most critical requirements for products that are handled, manufactured, or tested in cleanrooms. These products are typically highly sensitive and closely regulated, and improper handling resulting in contamination can present serious health risks to employees, customers, and anyone else who comes into contact with them. One of the most effective ways to combat contamination in cleanroom material handling is through proper cleaning procedures and PPE usage.
This infographic illustrates the basics of cleanroom cleaning procedures and PPE, listing common source of contamination, guidelines for proper cleaning procedures, types of PPE and gowning, and contamination control tips. You will also find some helpful statistics that illustrate why contamination control is such an important responsibility for cleanroom workers.
What is a cleanroom?
As you may know, cleanrooms are highly controlled environments that reduce or prevent the introduction of contaminants by controlling airflow, using filters, carefully designing ingress and egress points, and limiting access to the room itself. There are different classes of cleanroom, which correspond to the acceptable number of particles of a certain size that may be present in an air sample at any given time.
In addition to the design aspects of a cleanroom, proper procedures are among the most important considerations in maintaining the integrity of the facility. These procedures include:
- Allowing access only to qualified, trained individuals
- Following proper material handling procedures and using equipment such as fume hoods
- Developing and adhering to emergency procedures in case of spillage or other accidents
- Completing standard cleaning procedures whenever required, including at the start and end of the workday as well as throughout the day
- Ensuring that proper PPE is available, and that it is used correctly.
What are some obstacles to proper cleanroom procedures?
By far, the most significant threat to the integrity of a cleanroom is a lack of knowledge and training. Individuals who handle materials in a cleanroom should be trained and knowledgeable in the following, at a minimum:
- Proper types of PPE, and how to wear or use them
- How to enter and exit the cleanroom correctly to prevent contamination, including personal cleaning and decontamination steps
- How to check that airflow and filtration systems are online and working as expected
- How to check contaminant levels
- Different cleaning procedures for different types of surfaces
- How to use equipment such as fume hoods
- Steps to undertake as the first or last person in or out of the cleanroom during the day
- What to do in case of an accident or emergency.
What are the risks of cleanroom contamination?
The primary risk of cleanroom contamination is endangering the health of employees, material handlers, and end users. Cleanrooms are typically used to develop and manufacture highly controlled products such as medicines and pharmaceuticals, although other cleanroom applications include various food and beverage and personal care products. As you can see, all of these products can threaten the health of the end customer if not properly manufactured and controlled.
Because it is so important to understand why proper cleanroom procedures are critical, we will take a closer look at the risks here:
- Endangering the health of users or customers
- Endangering the health of cleanroom workers and other workers in the facility, even outside of the cleanroom
- Creating a need for product recalls
- Exposing the facility and the client to lawsuits and reputational damage
- Cross-contaminating other products, whether within the cleanroom, in transit, or during handling at another facility or location.
As you can see, the importance of proper cleanroom cleaning and PPE procedures is significant. Be sure to read the infographic for much more information about common sources of cleanroom contamination, how to clean a cleanroom, what types of PPE may be required, and tips to control contamination. With this information at hand, you are well on your way to understanding how to mitigate the risks of cleanroom contamination.
