Hygiene is very important in horticulture. Bacteria, fungi and viruses spread easily and you want to avoid contamination of your crop. A hygiene station provides a guarantee of hygiene before you enter the greenhouse. There are many different hygiene stations, for example for just your hands or a combination of cleaning your hands and shoes.
Why using a hygiene station?
A hygiene station is an indispensable device for companies where strict hygiene standards are in force. The purpose of a hygiene station is to protect the product process and thus the product from pathogens that people can carry with them on their hands or footwear. Such a station creates a controlled partition between two spaces, so that people cannot move from one space to another without thorough cleaning and disinfection. Exactly what measures must be taken before you can enter a greenhouse is described in this article written by our specialist.
What is a hygiene station?
Hygiene stations come in all shapes and sizes. From compact, simple hand sanitizers to complete stations with access authorization, fever screening and changing facilities. Below you will find an overview of different types of hygiene stations.
Built-up hygiene station
The most common hygiene station is the built-up version. It is attached to the floor and is relatively easy to move. If, for example, the greenhouse is changed and the hygiene station needs to be relocated, this can be done easily with the built-up version. This hygiene station has a step and it is important to keep a close eye on hygiene around the station itself. It sits above the ground on legs, so dirt can easily get under the unit.
Built-up advantages
• The more affordable option for existing buildings;
• Can be moved with changes to the greenhouse.
Built-up disadvantages
• Risk of dirt under the hygiene station;
• Step in front of the hygiene station.
Built-in hygiene station
An alternative to the built-up version is the built-in version. This hygiene station is sunk into the floor. This is a less interesting option for existing buildings than for new construction. It is expensive to install the hygiene station in an existing floor due to the cutting and demolition work for the hole and required piping. However, in the case of new construction, additional costs remain limited. In addition, in new buildings, it is much easier to sink the hygiene station into the floor. The built-in version cannot be easily moved once installed, unless a new hole with the necessary piping is provided elsewhere.
Built-in advantages
• Hygienic finish through all-around sealant;
• Ergonomic: no step.
Built-in disadvantages
• Not easy to move;
• Virtually impossible in existing buildings.
A hygiene station with sole cleaning
A hygiene station is also used to clean shoe soles. These often contain residual dirt that may contain pathogens. Of course, you don’t want these to spread within your greenhouse. By having a entrance with sole cleaning part, shoe soles are cleaned and disinfected with brushes, which are activated by sensors. These brushes are moistened with water. It contains a small concentration of disinfectant. The hygiene station with brushes is the most suitable in most cases. The essence of good disinfection is that surfaces must be clean before they can be disinfected. By means of the brushes, the shoes are cleaned while a layer of disinfectant is applied to the sole of the shoe at the same time. In sterile areas where the shoe soles are clean, a disinfection bath may also suffice.
A hygiene station with disinfection bath
A hygiene station with disinfection bath ensures that the entire sole of the shoe is covered in a layer of disinfectant. This station is often used for access to sterile rooms. Also think of packaging rooms or laboratories here. The access gate will only open after disinfection has taken place. It is important that the liquid in the disinfection bath is changed in time. This is because the liquid will decrease in concentration over time and use. This is not the case when brushes are used, as a fresh solution is continuously produced via a venturi system in the unit. Hygiene stations with disinfection bath are mainly used as an additional hygiene measure after cleaning with the brushes.
