Standard Operating Procedure and Training for Warehouse Cleaning and Sanitation Guidelines

Standard Operating Procedure for Warehouse Cleaning and Sanitation Guidelines

Objective:

The objective of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to establish guidelines for cleaning and maintaining warehouse areas in order to ensure a clean and hygienic environment for storing and handling products.

Scope:

This SOP applies to all warehouse personnel responsible for cleaning and sanitation activities in the warehouse department at our company.

Responsibility:

• Warehouse Person: Responsible for cleaning the designated areas and associated accessories as outlined below.
• Warehouse Supervisor: Responsible for monitoring the cleaning operations.
• Head Warehouse: Accountable for the effective implementation of this SOP.

Procedure:

5.1 General Conditions

• Use validated disinfectants for cleaning the warehouse area. The names of validated disinfectants and their compositions, concentrations, and validated surfaces should be provided.
• Rotate the use of disinfectants on a weekly basis.
• Wear nose masks and hand gloves while handling disinfectants and cleaning agents.
• Use graduated utensils to prepare dilutions of disinfectants and cleaning agents.
• Use ladders or scissor lifts to clean elevated areas.
• Clean the warehouse area during each working shift.
• Use a sporicidal agent once a week, preferably one day before the weekly off or holiday.
• Prevent exposure of raw material bags, packing materials, containers, pallets, or container labels to disinfectants or cleaning agents to avoid contamination and damage.
• Avoid cleaning the warehouse when any ongoing operations are in progress.
• If the weekly cleaning schedule falls on a holiday or sudden holiday is declared, perform the cleaning on the subsequent working day.
• Ensure the correct concentrations of disinfectants are used.

5.2 Preparation of Disinfectant Solution

• Specify the type and concentration of the disinfectant.
• Use a clean utensil in a designated area to prepare the disinfectant solution.
• Prepare the disinfectant solution in a controlled and classified area as per facility requirements.

5.3 Preparation of 70% IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol)

• Initiate a material requisition to issue the required quantity of Isopropyl Alcohol.
• Issue the Isopropyl Alcohol in a stainless steel container or pressure vessel.
• Make entries in the material management system.
• To prepare a 70% IPA solution, take 70 parts of Isopropyl alcohol and 30 parts of purified water.
• Prepare the solution to be consumed on the same day. Label the container with the name of the disinfectant, concentration, date of preparation, validity, prepared by, and checked by.
• Record the details in the logbook.
• Distribute the 70% Isopropyl Alcohol in suitable dispenser containers.
• Discard the remaining prepared solution after the specified solution validity and record it in the logbook.

5.4 Preparation of 10-liter Soap Solution

• Dispense 5 ml of soap liquid in a graduated cylinder or container.
• Dilute the soap solution by adding purified water to make up the volume up to 10 liters (10,000 ml). Stir the solution to ensure uniformity.
• Record the details in the respective logbook.
• Discard the remaining soap solution after 24 hours of preparation and record the details in the logbook.

5.5 Cleaning of Warehouse Floor

• Clean the floor using a dry mop, wiper, or vacuum cleaner.
• Fill the floor scrubber and vacuum cleaner machine with the soap solution.
• Connect the machine to the power supply and switch it on.
• Clean the floor using the soap solution and the floor scrubber or vacuum cleaner.
• After cleaning, empty the remaining soap solution and clean the equipment.
• Fill the compartment of the equipment with disinfectant to clean the floor.
• Clean difficult-to-access areas using a mop.

5.6 Cleaning of Windows and Doors

• Perform dry mopping of windows and doors using a lint-free duster.
• Clean using a wet lint-free duster soaked in potable water and then dry with a lint-free duster.
• Use soap solution if needed to remove stains from glass windows.
• Discard the duster after single use and use a fresh one for each cleaning.

5.7 Cleaning of Warehouse Ceiling, Wall Surfaces, and Air Handling Unit (AHU) Grills

• Clean the ceiling first, followed by walls and then the floor.
• Use a scissor lift or ladder depending on the height of the ceiling.
• Perform dry cleaning to remove dust from the area.
• Clean AHU grills using potable water followed by purified water. Dry with compressed air or a dry lint-free duster.
• Wipe reachable portions of AHU ducts with a mop soaked in potable water and disinfectant solution.
• Dry the duct using a dry lint-free duster.

5.8 Cleaning of Drainage

• Open the drain cover and stainless steel tray from the drain trap.
• Remove waste material deposited in the tray and drain trap.
• Scrub the drain cover, stainless steel tray, and drain using a scrubber and wash with potable water.
• Place the tray back in the drain and pour the scheduled disinfectant solution into the tray.
• Perform drain sanitization on a weekly basis using a sporicidal solution.
• Flush the drain with potable water after the contact time is over.
• Record the sanitization activity in the respective logbook.

5.9 Cleaning of Waste Bins

• Empty the waste bin and dispose of the waste as per the waste disposal procedure.
• Clean the waste bin using potable water.
• Clean the waste bin using a disinfectant solution as per the schedule.
• Dry the waste bin with a clean lint-free duster.
• Place a fresh and clean polybag in the waste bin.

5.10 Cleaning of Electrical Switches, Fixtures, Cable, Wall Clock, and Other Electrical Accessories

• Switch off the power supply and remove the electrical connections.
• Clean the exterior surfaces using a fresh lint-free duster.
• Seek assistance from the engineering department if needed for cleaning inaccessible areas.

5.11 Cleaning of Cupboard, Wall and Door Fenders, Utility Pendants, Shutter, PVC Curtain, Air Curtains, Racks, Tables, Chairs, Stands, Cabinets, First Aid Box, Key Box, Pallet, Changeover Bench, Pallet Truck, Trolley, SOP Stand, and Other Similar Items

Clean the exterior surfaces using a dry mop followed by a duster soaked in potable water and then dry with a dry duster.

5.12 Cleaning of Mops

• Transfer used mops to the designated washing area.
• Clean mop cloths using potable water, squeeze out the excess water, and hang them to air dry.
• Clean the mop rod with a wet duster soaked in process water and dry with a clean, lint-free duster.
• Change mop cloths regularly or whenever they are damaged or unable to effectively clean.
• Record the date of change of mop cloths and place a label on the mop rod.

5.13 Cleaning of Buckets, Containers, and Measuring Cylinders

• Clean buckets, containers, and measuring cylinders using potable water.
• Use a dry lint-free duster or compressed air to dry them.

Frequency:

• Floor, door, windows, weighing balance, waste bin, SS trolley, shutter, PVC curtain, table, chair, fender, cupboard, computer, printer, first aid box, stand, key box, pallet truck, etc. – Clean once a day and whenever required.
• Ceiling, wall surfaces, AHU grills, electrical fixtures, drains, pendants, fire extinguisher, racks, etc. – Clean once a week.

Formats:

The following formats should be used as appropriate for record-keeping purposes:

• Preparation and Utilization of Disinfectant
• Preparation of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Logbook
• Cleaning Record
• Preparation and Utilization of Soap Solution
• By following this SOP, we aim to maintain a clean and hygienic warehouse environment, ensuring the safety and quality of products stored and handled in our facility.