Employees can track in a myriad of potential contaminants and unknowingly put an operation at risk each time they breeze through a doorway to a production area. The effective use of a Disinfectant Mat™ provides a significant defense against cross-contamination. As employees step onto the mats, footwear is cleaned and sanitized. This barrier can help stop cross-contamination in its tracks.
Some plant managers complain that employees don't use them. Others say that they don't get cleaned out often enough or, the sanitizing solution loses effectiveness, creating a source of contamination. Yes, these things can happen but they don't have to, as each of these problems have a simple answer.
We can help make it work.
The following suggestions have been collected over the years from Nelson-Jameson customers.
- Have enough Disinfectant Mats so that employees don't need to go out of their way to use one.
- Locate a mat at every entrance to processing areas.
- If employees are bypassing Disinfectant Mats, put several together or side-by-side to cover the whole entrance so they can't avoid them.
- Limit access to processing areas and keep drivers, warehouse workers, and office personnel out, if possible.
- Initiate a footwear and clothing program—work clothes and boots should stay at work.
- Education is a powerful sanitation tool, so talk to employees about the problem.
- Post 'Use Footbath' signs as reminders to employees.
- Check sanitizer concentration with test strips, which are convenient and simple. Keep a daily or hourly log of results.
- Replace regular mats with the Antimicrobial Disinfectant Mat™, they are manufactured to stop the growth of unwanted microorganisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis and E.coli.
- Use longer lasting sanitizing solutions. Chlorine bleach dissipates rapidly, especially in the presence of heavy organic soil. Try quaternary ammonium, iodine, chlorine or acid sanitizers which will last longer.
- With any of our Disinfectant Mats (Standard or Antimicrobial) it is highly suggested that it is cleaned daily (top and bottom), which could be included as part of the washdown process. Use pump and bucket specifically designed for our High-Wall Disinfectant Mat.
- All mats should have a SSOP (Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure) written for proper care and use.
Don't forget other aspects of your program, such as air sampling, HACCP, surface sampling, insect control, drain cleaning, condensation control, and cleaning of drip pans, condensers, and air filters. Quality assurance techniques require monitoring, as Disinfectant Mats, by themselves, don't create a sanitation program. For more information, view our Footwear & Surface Sanitation Flyer!
Shop our selection of disinfectant Mats.
