12 replies to this topic

[charlidino]

Hello,

We are making some modification in our company, adding a couple of production rooms, but the rooms would be too far from the handwashing station. To install a new handwashing station would be too problematic because of the plumbing needed to install it. Somebody recommended us to install a UV Hand Sanitizer. We are SQF certified, and I wonder if anybody knows if this could be a suitable alternative for the handwashing station.

 

Thank you.

[Brothbro]

This is interesting, I'd be curious to know as well.

 

Another suggestion - Could you not have portable handwashing stations connected to a tank of clean water? Similar to what you might see near portable restrooms. Of course something like this would likely need to be backed up with testing of the station's water supply, but it could be an alternative.

[TylerJones]

It all depends on your risk, your product and your product flow. I've had low risk plants that have handwash stations only at enterances and at a high risk plant with one in each production room. (SQF and BRC cert plants) 

 

If your product / risk dictates that you need a sink you need a sink. Set yourself up for success. 

[juanolea1]

It is well known that UV light causes tissue damage and is a potential mutagen. I would strongly be certain to look at the data before using UV light to disinfect human hands.

[Scampi]

Even if this is accepted, you'd have to validate for any allergen you do not have in your plant which won't be cheap

 

The physical action of washing hands is what removes materials (allergen protein, bacteria etc.)

 

On top of which, previously mentioned, is the health risks associated

 

We use UV-C in process and it's completely shrouded from view

 

Run the plumbing and accept the costs

[charlidino]

It all depends on your risk, your product and your product flow. I've had low risk plants that have handwash stations only at enterances and at a high risk plant with one in each production room. (SQF and BRC cert plants) 

 

If your product / risk dictates that you need a sink you need a sink. Set yourself up for success. 

We are in dietary supplement facility, our product is a low risk, but the portion of the SQF code it is not too specific about how close the handwashing station should be:

“17.3.2.2 Handwashing stations shall be provided adjacent to all personnel access points and in accessible locations throughout product handling and processing areas as required”

[Scampi]

Would the employees be entering from a single access point where the sinks currently are?

[charlidino]

Would the employees be entering from a single access point where the sinks currently are?

There is only one point of access to the production area, and the current handwashing station is right next to the entrance. But the new rooms would be around 160 feet from the handwashing station.

[SQFconsultant]

We have a new client coming onboard and this was a question during our pre-retainer discussion.

There are portable hand washing sinks available for about 2500-3500 each.

You'll need an electrical plug in at each location and there are two tanks located within the unit - one for fresh potable water and the other for waste (grey) water.

There is a built in heater unit to boost up the temperature for handwashing.

The handsfree units have a battery operated faucet so that when hands are placed under the faucet the water flow starts and stops when the person remove their hands.

Upside: avoiding substantial piping costs for a traditional sink.

Downside: Your employees will need to change out the tanks.

Thus, you'll need extra tanks for rapid change outs.

I observed two of these in a beverage company and found them to be quite the work horses.

It's the downside that bothers me, because the change outs will not always be on time then you have people not washing their hands and/or grey water overflowing.

[charlidino]

We have a new client coming onboard and this was a question during our pre-retainer discussion.

There are portable hand washing sinks available for about 2500-3500 each.

You'll need an electrical plug in at each location and there are two tanks located within the unit - one for fresh potable water and the other for waste (grey) water.

There is a built in heater unit to boost up the temperature for handwashing.

The handsfree units have a battery operated faucet so that when hands are placed under the faucet the water flow starts and stops when the person remove their hands.

Upside: avoiding substantial piping costs for a traditional sink.

Downside: Your employees will need to change out the tanks.

Thus, you'll need extra tanks for rapid change outs.

I observed two of these in a beverage company and found them to be quite the work horses.

It's the downside that bothers me, because the change outs will not always be on time then you have people not washing their hands and/or grey water overflowing.

This looks like a good idea, thank you for that.

[Charles.C]

From Google, a possible UV option -

 

https://www.handyuv....r-p/uhs300n.htm

 

Two Possible Problems - User reluctance ? Looks expensive.

 

We rejected the portable tank option due concern over change inconveniece. Was easier to simply add another water line.

[charlidino]

From Google, a possible UV option -

 

https://www.handyuv....r-p/uhs300n.htm

 

Two Possible Problems - User reluctance ? Looks expensive.

 

We rejected the portable tank option due concern over change inconveniece. Was easier to simply add another water line.

Thank you for the info, I just emailed them asking for more information or a video if possible

[QAGB]

We have a new client coming onboard and this was a question during our pre-retainer discussion.

There are portable hand washing sinks available for about 2500-3500 each.

You'll need an electrical plug in at each location and there are two tanks located within the unit - one for fresh potable water and the other for waste (grey) water.

There is a built in heater unit to boost up the temperature for handwashing.

The handsfree units have a battery operated faucet so that when hands are placed under the faucet the water flow starts and stops when the person remove their hands.

Upside: avoiding substantial piping costs for a traditional sink.

Downside: Your employees will need to change out the tanks.

Thus, you'll need extra tanks for rapid change outs.

I observed two of these in a beverage company and found them to be quite the work horses.

It's the downside that bothers me, because the change outs will not always be on time then you have people not washing their hands and/or grey water overflowing.

 

I agree with SQFConsultant.

 

We had two of these in our facility along with regular handwashing stations throughout. We used these in places where it was harder to pipe additional plumbing. We had someone come around and check the tanks twice a day to remove the grey water and refill the clean water. They were hands free and pretty nice when they were functioning.

 

As mentioned, you do have to keep a constant eye on these units, so there were times when we couldn't use them. 

 

All in all, it is a relatively inexpensive option to add additional sinks to your facility. However, when they aren't functioning, the lazy folks are going to be less inclined to go a bit further in distance to wash their hands.