According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is primarily transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets that emerge from the nose and mouth when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air and quickly fall onto floors or surfaces. Furthermore, COVID-19 can survive for up to five days on certain common surfaces, such as glass, plastic, stainless steel and wood. For this reason, floor hygiene and frequent cleaning and disinfecting of floor surfaces is vital.
Greg Barron, Actum Group director.
Our static control flooring supplier, Polyflor, recently shared an article posted by Tandy Coleman, entitled ‘Fighting the spread of COVID-19 with vigilant floor hygiene’. This article shares the following tips for effective floor hygiene (for ESD vinyl flooring in particular):
• Disinfect as well as clean: Cleaning removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects, while disinfecting aims to kill germs by using chemicals. According to the WHO, 0.1% diluted bleach and 62–71% ethanol is effective within 1 minute. However, it is advisable to use ESD-approved chemicals to clean and disinfect.
• Consider PUR-coated vinyl floor coverings: PUR vinyl can withstand an increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting. The lack of joins or grooves reduces the areas where germs can stick.
• Best cleaning routines for vinyl floors: Chlorine-based products that disinfect can be used on Polyflor vinyl floor coverings, provided the area is rinsed after use and diluted as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Products containing pine gel and phenolic disinfectants should not be used on Polyflor vinyl floorings as they may damage the floor covering.
In addition to effective cleaning and disinfecting, ESD-safe disposable foot covers can be worn to prevent contamination of clean flooring and personnels’ shoes.
Through our static control division, Altico, Actum Group specialises in ESD control within the working environment.
Contact us on +27 11 608 3001 or sales@actum.co.za to enquire about our cleaning solutions.
AGOA: Businesses should diversify or face significant exposure
News
Cross-border payments platform Verto has called on South African and African businesses to accelerate their transition toward a “post-AGOA” trade strategy following President Donald Trump’s signing of a one-year extension to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Read more...Silicon Labs reports strong growth
News
Silicon Labs has reported robust financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025, with significant YoY revenue gains and shifting market dynamics.
Read more...Siemens acquires Canopus AI ASIC Design Services
News
The acquisition extends Siemens’ comprehensive EDA software portfolio with computational metrology and inspection to help chipmakers solve critical technical challenges in semiconductor manufacturing.
Read more...Micron breaks ground on new wafer fabs
News
Micron Technology has advanced two major semiconductor manufacturing initiatives that together reflect the company’s strategic response to sustained global demand for memory solutions.
Read more...Research agreement for EUV tech
News
Gelest, Inc., a Mitsubishi Chemical Group company, recently announced a research agreement with IBM to test Gelest precursor materials for dry resist EUV lithography.
Read more...Clearing the Static: ESD containers and packaging Actum
Circuit & System Protection Vacuum forming ESD
Electronic components can be damaged by electrostatic discharges. To protect against such damage, electronic assembly parts are often transported or stored in vacuum formed component ...
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.