Why Equipment Sanitation Is Essential for Worker Safety — Occupational Health & Safety

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.