Cleanrooms in aerospace labs are built around precision and control, and they are vital for completing delicate operations and research. Within these delicate environments, a lapse in sanitation can threaten personnel and test subjects. Making cleanroom mistakes also risks the integrity of the equipment and the success of the mission. Here are some essential best practices to observe within aerospace lab cleanrooms.
Wear the Proper Cleanroom PPE
Correct attire is the first line of defense against cleanroom contamination. These environments require full-body cleanroom suits that cover every inch of skin, hair nets, and face masks. While the specific requirements and regulations vary between labs, most cleanrooms require the highest level of PPE (level A or 4). Ensure PPE is the most stringent in cleanliness and comfort for your lab staff. Uncomfortable or ill-fitting garments lead to the temptation to adjust, which poses the risk of a potential breach.
Minimize Contact Inside Cleanrooms
The less contact personnel has with surfaces and equipment within the cleanroom, the better. Personnel should only touch what they absolutely need to and always with gloved hands. Additionally, back out of doors rather than touching the handle. Limiting this contact reduces particulate spread and lessens the need for frequent cleaning, decreasing downtime and ensuring consistency in the workspace.
Minimize Particles From Personnel and Movements
Always practice controlled and slow movements within the cleanroom. Quick, sudden movements stir up particles, and the airflow in cleanrooms is specifically calibrated to push contaminants to the floor and out of the breathing zone. Additionally, limit the number of personnel in the cleanroom at once to those necessary to complete the task. Each individual introduces a risk of contamination; ensuring that every occupant is trained, purposeful, and accounted for reduces the overall chance of error and contamination.
Clean Supplies Before Transferring Them
Introducing foreign or contaminated supplies is a major risk in a cleanroom. All equipment, tools, and supplies should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before entry. This is integral to maintaining the sterility of the environment. Conduct a formal transfer process that includes cleaning a staging area outside the cleanroom and creating a checklist to guarantee the items are ready for entry.
By strictly adhering to these cleanroom best practices, aerospace labs can significantly reduce the risk of failure due to contamination or error. Additionally, emphasizing the human element in sanitation processes can remind personnel of their importance in the aerospace cleanroom ecosystem and the critical role each person plays in maintaining its integrity.
Investing in continuous training and a robust quality control process can further cement a lab’s reputation for excellence and precision. It’s also crucial to ensure you have the proper cleaning and sanitation supplies stocked in your aerospace lab. When you need a research chemical vendor with a wide range of sterilization and sanitation supplies, visit Post Apple Scientific. We can help you find all the chemicals and equipment your lab requires.