The industrial revolution
October 1st 2005 A look at the way in which wipers are used in today's increasingly specialised workshop environment and the factors involved in bringing about these changes including Best Practice, new technology and health and safety
Cleaning in industry used to be carried out with an oily rag - end of story. This rag was kept in the overall pocket and used for everything from wiping components to cleaning the hands and soaking up spills.
Life was relatively simple in those days, but industry - and in fact, the whole of our society - have changed beyond recognition over the past 50 years. Technological advances have brought computers and automation into almost every area of our lives. Small firms have given way to huge multinationals where efficiency and economy are vital in maintaining a competitive edge.
We have also become increasingly concerned about the environment, while improved scientific research has heightened our understanding of the many health risks posed by the workplace.
The technological age has had a major effect on the rag since increasing automation means fewer people are dirtying their hands. In modern industrial environments where computer screens and electronic equipment are used, the oily rag is no longer an obvious choice for cleaning. There has therefore been an increasing shift towards disposable wipers designed for particle-sensitive areas such as our own Tork Sensitive.
As companies strive to outdo each other in terms of efficiency and Best Practice, many are choosing disposables for other wiping tasks, too. Soiled rags lying around the workplace create an unprofessional appearance, whereas clean disposables in hygienic dispensers give an impression of efficiency.
The nation's growing concern for the environment has seen a move away from solvent-soaked rags. Disposables have therefore grown in demand - particularly those made using environmentally-friendly methods that avoid the use of chlorine bleaches.
Meanwhile, new health and safety guidelines have had a major effect on industry. Many processes are now regulated by strict controls, and commonly-used substances are coming under the microscope as we gain a greater understanding of their potential dangers.
An extreme example of this is asbestos, a fireproof material popular until the 1970s when its carcinogenic properties were widely accepted.
An estimated 6000 people are still dying each year from cancer due to past exposures to asbestos at work, according to the Health and Safety Executive.
Traditional solvents used in industrial cleaning are also being scrutinised since these have been linked with occupational dermatitis, eye irritation, headaches and nausea as well as kidney inflammation, heart disease and damage to the liver and central nervous system.
Solvents may also cause lung cancer and bladder cancer, and the practice of keeping solvent-soaked rags in the overall pockets has been linked to testicular cancer.
Meanwhile, the diversification of industry has led to a growing need for specialist wipers. For example, wipers in the electronic and pharmaceutical industries need to be low linting; automotive wipers need to be good at absorbing grease and oil, while food wipers need to be coloured blue to distinguish them from products such as flour and sugar. Disposable wipers can be purpose-designed for specific applications such as these, whereas rags by their nature vary in terms of absorbency, colour and efficiency.
It is therefore inevitable that disposable wipers should replace rags in today's efficient, safety-conscious workshop. Your wiper manufacturer will be happy to help you choose the right one for your premises. More articles from SCA Hygiene Products UK Ltd: | 
