Chemicals and dosing

Once the most appropriate equipment has been chosen the processes need to be risk assessed for safety to personnel, the environment and to the food product being produced; with suitable controls applied where necessary.

Chemical storage

As soon as a delivery of chemicals to a site occurs, provisions should be in place to ensure that the chemicals are not only stored in a safe and secure environment but are located where the risk of cross-contamination from external sources is eliminated or reduced and controlled.

All chemical storage areas should be:

• secure (lockable), with controlled access.
• sound, dry, well ventilated, frost-proof, have ease of access and have sufficient light.
• designed so that drainage from the area is contained in the event of a hazardous spill.
• of a construction compatibility with products stored.
• zoned to allow storage of products that are incompatible. Incompatible chemicals include: oxidising (Class 5.1) and corrosive (Class 8) chemicals and flammable (Class 3) and corrosive (Class 8) chemicals

Dosing

Effective and accurate dosing of chemicals is vital for ensuring that a cleaning and disinfection process delivers the desired result. The use of reliable dosing equipment helps to ensure that these processes are consistent, chemicals are used safely and effectively, and costs are controlled.

Application

Chemicals can be applied to a surface in several ways, including:

• Soaking an item in a sink or container
• Manual application using a bucket and wipe/brush/pad/ mop, etc.
• Clean-in-place
• Semi-automated systems, such as utensil and tray washers
• Use of foam/gel
• Spraying
• Fogging

Chemical dosing and application systems are wide ranging and are either wall mounted or mobile equipment.

For further information visit www.holchem.co.uk