The corona virus SARS-CoV-2 also presents major challenges for companies with a cleanroom. It is important here that viruses and bacteria do not end up in the cleanroom via employees or their clothing.
But can you really do that? What are the pitfalls and how can you best tackle them? Dr. Rüdiger Laub, responsible for the Cleanroom Academy at profi-con, explains in a blogost from CWS.
Dr. Laub, can you prevent SARS-CoV-2 from entering the cleanroom?
No, you cannot completely prevent viruses from entering your cleanroom. But there is much you can do to ensure that a virus does not find its way into your cleanroom – for example, through cleanroom-appropriate clothing, glasses, gloves and other protective measures. And of course it is important to inform your employees well through training and clear instructions. The chance of infection depends on their behavior. It goes without saying that even the most extreme measures cannot offer you a 100% guarantee. Employees remain the weakest link. Due to the long incubation period, an employee can be a carrier of the virus and therefore infect others without being aware of it. The employee may not feel any symptoms (yet).
With sufficient test capacity, cleanroom employees working in the “critical infrastructure” – for example in hospital pharmacy cleanrooms – could be tested preventively if corona is suspected. The basic principle also applies in the cleanroom: early detection – timely removal from the processes – reducing risk.