How To Disinfect Your Heavy Equipment.

How To Disinfect Your Heavy Equipment.

Posted by Danielle Beserra on 5 June 2020

Tags: Rental, Heavy equipment

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, sanitation and safety of our team and yours is our top priority at Bingham Equipment. With the growing concern of cleanliness we are constantly being reminded to wash our hands, wipe down commonly touched surfaces, and avoided touching our face. If you operate heavy machinery, you should also be regularly sanitizing the equipment after operating. Unfortunately, this isn't as easy as spraying some bleach and calling it good. Knowing how to properly clean and disinfect the cab in your heavy equipment is extremely important to reduce the risk of infection for you and your team without damaging pricey equipment.

At Bingham Equipment we have taken extra care when it comes to cleaning our stores and rental equipment to slow the spread. Below we have shared some tips and resources that are helpful when putting together your COVID-19 disinfecting plan for your heavy equipment. 

What To Use: 

 The interior components of the cab like touch screens, switches, and upholstery require special treatment. Use one of these EPA-approved disinfectants, that are designed to kill the Coronavirus, while also being safe for interiors. If possible it is best to choose a sanitizer that is contact-less, removing the need to wipe down surfaces after applying. Most consumer products usually come ready to use, but some products may have to be diluted and properly ventilated. We recommend checking your manufacturer's guidelines before choosing a disinfectant. If no manufacturer guidance is available, consider the use of alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol to disinfect. CDC recommends ensuring a contact time of at least one minute. We highly recommend not using products containing bleach to clean your cab.

Before Disinfecting: 

Before cleaning your cab, follow proper safety guidelines by using gloves and a face mask. Since the virus can spread asymptotically, you do not want to skip this step as it is the best way to ensure the surfaces are not re-infected while you are cleaning. It is also recommended that you allow the cab to ventilate for a few minutes before entering and after cleaning, as the life span of the virus in the air particles confined in a cab is unknown. 

How to Properly Sanitize Your Equipment: 

When you are ready to start cleaning you will need to wipe down any surfaces that are dirty or covered in dust with soap and water before applying disinfecting products. Once the cab is cleaned you can spray your sanitizing solution on commonly touched surfaces such as the handles, floor mats, windows, touchpads, knobs, seat buckle, and the steering wheel. On the exterior of your machine spray down the handles, latches, gas cap, and grab bars.

 Your equipment has certain surfaces that should be cleaned with careful consideration. When cleaning electronic consoles and display interfaces, it is best to use a disinfecting wipe or spray your solution on a microfiber cloth to wipe down the keyboards and displays. This may seem like an extra step, but it will ensure that no dried residue interferes with the functionality and performance of your equipment. When cleaning the upholstery, check that your product is free of bleach and or safe on leather/ vinyl to prevent damage.

Once you have finished sterilizing your machine, wash your hands before touching any other surface to prevent spreading anything you might have come in contact with. For more information, The CDC has provided guidelines and tips for "Cleaning and Disinfection for Non-emergency Transport Vehicles." 

We are here to support you and keep you working. Contact us for contact-less rental delivery, service, and parts orders.