EQUIPMENTS FOR CLEANING

1.    Objective:

To lay down a procedure to govern the Sanitation using cleaning equipments.

2.    Scope:

This procedure provides detailed guidelines about the Sanitation to be followed inside the Pharmaceutical Factory using different source of cleaning equipments.

3.    Responsibility:

01       Head – QA

02       Head – Administration.

4.    Procedure:

4.1      Floor Mops:

Mops may be made of sponge and should preferably be of the ‘squeeze’ type.  Cotton mops may also be used provided they do not shed linters.  It is difficult to maintain cloth mops; they should be cleaned in soap water after every use, rinsed free from disinfectant or cleaning solutions.  It would be preferable to have the mop handles in metal or plastic rather than in wood.

4.2      Cloths and Sponges:

These are useful on working surfaces, walls, ceiling and even on equipment.  They should be made of absorbent material and should be non-shedding as for as possible.  They have a limited life and should be replaced at pre-determined intervals (based on experience).  Nylon cloths are suitable for swabbing and they have the advantage of being sterilisable by autoclaving.

4.3      Vacuum cleaners:

Wherever possible, vacuum cleaners should be used in preference to brooms and brushes, which harbour dust and release dust, fibres and bristles into the atmosphere.

Portable vacuum cleaners or a built-in central vacuum unit may be used.  The equipments must be fitted with suitable fine filters.

Mechanical floor cleaners:

These are suitable for large manufacturing areas but tend to splash water and cleaning materials onto the walls and surrounding areas.  They are useful for removing adhering stains and sticky floors.  After cleaning is over, the surface water has to be mopped up either manually with mops or sponges or with mechanical driers.  Where the latter are used, the container holding the mopped-up water must be cleaned and dried before putting away.  Dirty water must not be left in the drier.

4.4      Brooms:

These are generally not recommended, as they tend to remove dust from one place and deposit it in another.  They may, however, be used in corridors and in areas where no manufacture is carried out.  Sweeping with brooms should be followed by wet cleaning or swabbing.