Checklist for Evaluating Factory Sanitation Systems After the Lunar New Year Holiday
After the Lunar New Year holiday, factories often experience a prolonged shutdown period, leading to potential risks related to sanitation, safety, and production quality. Reviewing the sanitation system not only helps the factory prepare for resuming operations but also serves as an early-year risk control measure.
1. Overall Factory Condition Assessment
Check for dust, cobwebs, mold on ceilings, walls, and floors
→ These are the clearest signs of environmental degradation during downtime and may affect air quality and workers’ health.
Assess dampness or unusual odors in enclosed areas
→ Lingering odors indicate high humidity, poor ventilation, or microbial growth.
Inspect drainage systems, floor channels, and manholes
→ Standing water over long periods can promote bacteria, insects, and slip hazards.
Inspect often-overlooked areas (corners, secondary corridors)
→ These areas usually accumulate the most dirt but are easily missed during routine cleaning.
Compare current conditions with those before the holiday
→ Helps identify the level of deterioration and prioritize areas requiring urgent action.
2. Production Areas and Lines
Clean machine surfaces, conveyors, and worktables
→ Dust and grease buildup can affect equipment accuracy and lifespan.
Check for residual raw materials, packaging, and chemicals
→ Prevents cross-contamination and quality deviations from the first production batch.
Clean under machines, gaps, and hard-to-reach areas
→ These areas are often poorly cleaned manually but accumulate the most dirt.
Perform cleaning according to SOPs before trial runs
→ Ensures production lines are safe before official operation.
Reassess the effectiveness of current cleaning methods
→ Provides a basis for improving processes or adopting automation solutions.
3. Warehouse and Storage Areas
Clean warehouse floors, racks, and aisles
→ Ensures safe movement and reduces dust contamination on goods.
Inspect packaging, pallets, and wrapping materials
→ Damaged packaging can cause losses or affect product quality.
Review long-stored inventory
→ Early detection of expired or degraded goods after extended storage.
Inspect areas near walls and rack bases
→ These areas are most prone to rodents and insects.
Clearly separate clean areas, dirty areas, and pending-processing zones
→ Reduces cross-contamination risks and warehouse management errors.
4. Sanitary and Utility Areas
Deep clean restrooms, changing rooms, and break areas
→ Directly impacts employee health and morale.
Check water sources (odor, sediment, pressure)
→ Substandard water affects personal hygiene and production hygiene.
Clean ventilation fans, sinks, floors, and walls
→ Prevents odors and airborne bacteria.
Clean waste collection areas and bins
→ Prevents odors and insect infestation from auxiliary areas.
Replenish sanitation supplies
→ Ensures uninterrupted cleaning operations during early-year peak periods.
5. Pest and Vermin Control
Inspect rodent traps and insect killer lamps
→ Malfunctioning devices reduce pest control effectiveness.
Check doors, gaps, and ventilation openings
→ Prevents pest entry from outside.
Observe signs of pests (droppings, bite marks, insect remains)
→ Enables early detection before infestation spreads.
Reevaluate pest control service effectiveness
→ Adjust frequency or methods if requirements are not met.
Update seasonal pest control plans
→ Post-holiday periods often coincide with humid weather and increased pest risks.
6. Cleaning Equipment and Chemicals
Inspect floor scrubbers, vacuum cleaners, and cleaning equipment
→ Prevents malfunctions after prolonged inactivity.
Test-run equipment before official use
→ Detects technical issues and wear early.
Review chemical expiry dates and labeling
→ Ensures user safety and cleaning effectiveness.
Inspect chemical storage areas
→ Prevents leaks, misuse, and safety violations.
Segregate cleaning tools by area
→ Reduces cross-contamination between functional zones.
7. Cleaning Personnel and Procedures
Reassign personnel by area
→ Ensures no zones are overlooked during restart.
Reinforce cleaning SOPs with staff
→ Ensures correct execution from the start of the year.
Provide refresher training on safety and PPE
→ Reduces accident risks when using chemicals and equipment.
Record issues from the previous period
→ Forms the basis for process improvement in the new year.
Consider replacing inefficient manual tasks
→ Reduces labor dependency and improves operational stability.
8. Operational Readiness and Improvement Assessment
Verify compliance with standards (5S, GMP, ISO, HACCP)
→ Ensures compliance before official production.
Document sanitation verification at the start of the year
→ Supports traceability and internal control.
Develop an intensified cleaning plan for the early-year period
→ Maintains environmental stability during capacity ramp-up.
Assess opportunities for mechanization or cleaning automation
→ Moves toward sustainable operations and long-term cost efficiency.
Conclusion
A post-holiday sanitation checklist not only makes the factory cleaner but also ensures safer, more stable, and more efficient operations. Systematic implementation from the start of the year lays the foundation for risk reduction, productivity improvement, and readiness for future optimization and automation.