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Hygiene stations | All advantages and disadvantages

Hygiene station
Written by Dirk Timmers | Last update: 07-04-2021

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. 


Video: How do you use a hygiene station?



Assortment of Hygiene Stations

A hygiene station for hand disinfection

In addition to hygiene stations for disinfecting hands and footwear, there are also units available for hands only. These are used in situations where footwear poses less of a risk, but hands do pose a threat. Another situation in which hygiene stations for hands only are used is when disinfection of the hands and feet has already taken place. Two types of units are available for hand disinfection. Besides disinfecting the hands, you can also choose to have the units equipped as a soap unit. This means the hands are not disinfected, but sprayed with soap. This way, people are required to wash their hands with soap. 


Washing hands

Good hand hygiene is an important part of company hygiene. Hands are in frequent contact with the crop, which makes it easy for pathogens to accumulate here. As a result, the hands pose a high risk of infecting the crop. It is therefore important to disinfect your hands well before entering the greenhouse. Before you can disinfect your hands, it is important that you clean them properly. There are several ways to clean and disinfect the hands.

1. A single sink with sensor control;
2. A wash trough with sensor control. Suitable when several people need to wash hands at the same time;
3. Disinfect hands with a hygiene station. There are several variants available for this, including a combination with brushes for shoe soles. 

When washing hands in the sink or wash trough, it is important to observe the hand washing protocol. 


Soap and disinfection variants

There are several ways to disinfect your hands. There is disinfectant for wet hands (Menno H), but also for dry hands (Enno Rapid). In contrast to all other hand disinfectants, besides alcohol (against bacteria), Enno Rapid contains also benzoic acid which works against fungi and viruses. Read more about hand disinfection options in horticulture.


HortiHygienz

The specialists at HortiHygienz are happy to help you think about hygiene solutions for your company. They have developed a configurator, which provides a good overview of the current hygiene measures within your company by asking a number of questions. View the HortiHygienz configurator. 



 

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Whitepaper: Hygiene measures in greenhouse horticulture

Hygiene measuresThe impact of a plant disease within your horticulture company can be enormous. You can prevent this with the right hygiene measures. Use this whitepaper to keep your business hygiene well under control. 


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Questions about hygiene stations in horticulture


Do you have any questions about hygiene stations in horticulture, or would you like tailored advice? Then please contact hygiene specialist Dirk Timmers via the form below. You will receive a response as soon as possible - on weekdays even within 24 hours.


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Specialist HortiHygienz Dirk TimmersAbout Dirk Timmers

Dirk Timmers is product specialist HortiHygienz at Royal Brinkman. Due to the increasing demand for hygiene measures in horticulture, not a day has the same outcome. 'The great thing about my job is the diversity. One day you're in the greenhouse, the next day you're in the office together to develop a solution for the customer.'







 

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HortiHygienz


The total solution for hygiene issues in horticulture

We believe that growers worldwide can maximize the yield of their crops with optimum hygiene. HortiHygienz can be used worldwide as a total solution for operational hygiene. Whatever the question or challenge in the area of operational hygiene, HortiHygienz has the solution for you!









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