What is colour coded cleaning and why is it important?
22 April 2020
5min read time
Guide
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Implementing a colour coding system is a simple and effective hygiene approach that more companies use.
Implementing a colour coded cleaning system is a simple and effective hygiene approach that more companies use. The importance of a colour coding for cleaning system in reducing the risk of cross-contamination cannot be overstated, as it ensures that every work area has its own dedicated colour coded cleaning equipment, which isn’t supposed to be used in other facility areas. This method effectively prevents cross-contamination and bacterial contamination between work areas and equipment colour.
Colour Codes Explained
The British Institute of Cleaning (BICSc) developed a cleaning colour coding system in the 1990s. Each major work area has a designated colour:
- Code Red – red is for toilets and bathrooms
- Code Yellow – yellow is for infectious areas, e.g. hospitals or medical centres
- Code Blue – blue is for general areas and general cleaning
- Code Green – green is for kitchen and food prep
- Code White – white is for operating theatres
A good starting point for a commercial colour-coded cleaning system is the mop-and-bucket approach: use a red mop and bucket for toilets and a yellow mop and bucket for infectious areas. This underscores the importance of mop colour coding and why colour-coded mops should never be swapped between areas. Assigning colours consistently applies to all reusable cleaning tools, including brushes, brooms, and microfibre cloths.
What are the benefits of commercial colour-coded cleaning to prevent cross-contamination?
Commercial colour coding and coded cleaning are extremely important in general cleaning and beneficial in industrial cleaning scenarios. Colour coding has many practical benefits, including the importance of colour coding and cleaning equipment in the healthcare industry, the cleaning industry, and cleaning science and equipment in many different areas.
- Inexpensive – colour-coded commercial cleaning products cost about the same as “standard” cleaning products without colours
- Improved employee health, safety, and productivity - means less chance of cross-contamination leading to staff illness and absence.
- Lower likelihood of patrons or customers falling ill – due to cross-contamination bacteria.
Visual Aids
To make colour-coded cleaning easy to follow, Abco provides a downloadable cleaning colour code chart for Australia. The chart details specific colours assigned to mops, buckets, and cleaning equipment for hospitals, offices, and kitchens, simplifying staff training and compliance.
Tips for Implementation
Implementing mop colour coding and other colour coded cleaning equipment systems is straightforward if done correctly:
1. Train Staff: Educate cleaning teams on the colour system and its importance. Include numbering for colour-blind staff.
2. Label Equipment: Place coloured stickers or tags on all cleaning tools, including mops, buckets, and cloths.
3. Standardise Purchases: Buy only colour-coded cleaning products to maintain consistency.
4. Refresher Training: Hold sessions every 6 months to reinforce proper usage and compliance with Australian cleaning standards.
5. Monitor Compliance: Conduct periodic audits to ensure colour-coded cleaning is consistently followed.
Benefits of Commercial Colour Coded Cleaning
Using colour coded cleaning provides multiple advantages:
- Cost-effective: Comparable in price to standard cleaning products.
- Improved staff health and safety: Reduces risk of cross-contamination and illness.
- Safer for customers and patrons: Minimises bacterial spread in public and high-risk areas.
As you’re probably starting to realise, the benefits of commercial colour-coded cleaning equipment and the importance of using only colour-coded cleaning guidelines and cleaning supplies are hard to ignore.
Abco, your local supplier of commercial colour-coded cleaning equipment and cleaning supplies in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, can help you transition to using colour-coded cleaning products. We stock various coloured buckets, microfibre cloths, brushes, and brooms. For further information and assistance with our colour-coded system, please call 1800 177 399.
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