In an increasingly complex manufacturing environment, industrial cleaning is a factor that impacts safety, product quality, business continuity, and reputation. For decision-makers, investing in training means transforming cleaning procedures into reliable, measurable, and sustainable processes, reducing quality-related costs and the risk of plant downtime. Italian legislation and management standards confirm this centrality, as do studies that link this know-how to improved safety and business outcomes.
Health and safety training is a legal requirement (Article 37 of Legislative Decree 81/2008) and must be comprehensible, verified, and up-to-date. It is an investment that enables correct behavior, the conscious use of products and equipment, and a preventative approach to risks.
At the European level, EU-OSHA highlights the business case for health and safety: effective programs reduce injuries and indirect costs (insurance, medical, absences, lost productivity), with positive impacts on overall performance.
A useful fact for decision makers: companies with an accredited health and safety management system record an average reduction in accidents of 22.6% in frequency and 29.2% in severity (source: INAIL). Training is one of the pillars that make these systems effective.
Improper cleaning procedures can lead to contamination, waste, non-compliance with industry standards, and risks for operators. Therefore, in addition to general requirements, management standards require evidence of competence and ongoing training for personnel (ISO 45001, clause 7.2).
Cleaning often uses specific chemical mixtures and equipment: safety data sheets (SDS), required by EU regulations (REACH/CLP), are the primary source for defining specific training content on hazards, PPE, storage, compatibility, and emergency response.
For service quality, the EN 13549 standard offers recommendations for cleaning service quality measurement systems: aligning training with measurement requirements helps transform protocols into controllable indicators (audits, checklists, KPIs).
The European framework for the cleaning sector also highlights the role of upskilling paths and alignment between companies and workers (EFCI/UNI Europa social dialogue) to support quality, professionalism and the green-digital transition.
Map risks and activities by line, area, and shift. Identify skill gaps and recurring critical issues (non-conformities, near misses). Link training to measurable objectives (e.g., reduced changeover times, fewer reworks, fewer accidents)..
There are no "copy-and-paste" courses: products, surfaces, assets, and constraints (HACCP, cleanrooms, ATEX, etc.) vary from site to site. Co-design modules by job description and department, integrating company policies and reference standards (ISO 45001 for skills/documentation)..
Always remember that simply increasing hours isn't enough. Recent evidence in high-risk sectors shows that more hours, if poorly designed, don't automatically translate into fewer accidents; quality training and its transfer to the workplace are essential.
Training is effective when it becomes an organizational habit. In certified systems, where competencies and reviews are structured, accidents decrease significantly: a sign that training, procedures, and monitoring support each other within a mature OHSMS. For decision makers, this means protecting people and margins.
We support industrial companies with customized washing solutions, designed and built to meet each customer's production needs. Each machine is the result of careful technical consulting, which analyzes components, contaminants, materials, and production flows to define the most suitable system in terms of performance, safety, and sustainability.
To complete the supply, Geicos also offers operational training dedicated to company personnel, aimed at ensuring correct and safe use of the installed parts washers, thus optimising the efficiency of washing cycles and ordinary maintenance.