Angstrom knows that cleanroom protocol can be tricky so we've outlined a few of the most important do's & don'ts involving behavior in the cleanroom.
While these basic do’s & don’ts are designed for general cleanroom behavior, it is important for each facility to provide more specific training.
FUN FACT: DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE DIRTIEST THING IN A CLEANROOM IS?
ANSWER: PEOPLE
People are single-handedly the most common source of contamination in cleanrooms. The only way to combat this is to establish good cleanroom behaviors + habits.
BASIC DO'S & DON'TS FOR CLEANROOM PERSONNEL:
DO: ONLY ALLOW AUTHORIZED MEMBERS INTO THE CLEANROOM
By restricting access and only allowing fully-trained personnel into the cleanroom, you reduce the risk of mistakes that could cause contamination or safety risks.
DON’T: GET ALL DOLLED UP BEFORE ENTERING THE CLEANROOM
Don't waste your time looking pretty for the cleanroom because, believe it or not, unwanted particles can get into the air & on cleanroom surfaces just from everyday beauty products such as hair spray, makeup, nail polish, & perfumes. Although these particles are too small for the naked eye to register as a threat, these particles can be large enough to cause issues for procedures or products.
DO: WEAR APPROPRIATE GARMENTS FOR YOUR CLEANROOM
Each cleanroom may require different garments for both protection & reducing contamination. Garments such as gloves, coveralls, face masks, boot covers and bouffant caps may be required.
To check to see what garments you or your team should be wearing in your cleanroom, check out Angstrom's Cleanroom Suits and Garments Selection Guide to see an easy breakdown of which garments are needed for each cleanroom class.
DON’T: BUST A DANCE MOVE OR PARTY IN THE CLEANROOM
No, SERIOUSLY. With sudden body movements, the air circulates & can often stir up particles or release particles from the body. This would include excess conversation within the cleanroom & congregating. Reducing these actions keeps air flow unchanged & can keep you from increasing level of particulate matter.
DO: FOLLOW A GOWNING PROCEDURE
The gowning process that cleanroom personnel repeat daily is the most common time for contamination to occur. Pairing with the correct cleanroom garments, it is imperative the action of gowning reduces the risk of particles from clothing, the dirty side of the gowning room, and the person from entering the cleanroom.
Angstrom has put together an easy-to-download gowning procedure poster that will help educate and alleviate some of the risk often found in the gowning room.
DON’T: BRING YOUR CELLPHONE INTO THE CLEANROOM
Did you know that your phone can have as many as 25,000 germs per square inch? Gross, right? Well, believe it or not, phones are one of the most common items people sneak into cleanrooms.
Bringing unclean items or products into the cleanroom leaves the cleanroom susceptible to contamination. There is a reason why cleanroom supplies are often sealed, double bagged & often made specifically for cleanrooms… or even why your supervisor doesn't allow phones.
