Why Do Food Manufacturing Facilities Need a Cross-Over Bench?

A stainless steel shoe-changing bench, or Cross-Over Bench, is an important piece of equipment that helps control contamination between the Dirty Zone and Clean Zone within food manufacturing facilities, pharmaceutical factories, cleanrooms, and industries that require high hygiene standards.

To ensure that changing footwear and putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are carried out in accordance with GMP, HACCP, ISO, and Cleanroom Standards, the bench should be used properly according to the following procedures.

1. Start from the Dirty Zone

Employees enter the changing room from the Dirty Zone and remove their outdoor footwear before storing it on a shoe rack or in the storage compartment underneath the stainless steel shoe-changing bench. This helps prevent dust and contaminants from entering the controlled area.

2. Sit on the Bench to Change Footwear

Sit on the Cross-Over Bench, then remove outdoor footwear. In some facilities, employees may also wear shoe covers according to the requirements of each establishment.

Using a stainless steel shoe-changing bench makes changing footwear more convenient, reduces the risk of losing balance while standing, and helps ensure that the footwear-changing process is carried out hygienically.

3. Step Over the Bench into the Clean Zone

After removing outdoor footwear, lift your legs over the stainless steel shoe-changing bench and move to the Clean Zone. Avoid allowing outdoor footwear or bare feet to touch the floor on the clean side. Then put on clean shoes, boots, or footwear designated for use inside the production area.

This step is a key part of preventing Cross Contamination and is commonly practiced in facilities operating according to GMP and Cleanroom standards.

4. Put on the Gown and Complete PPE

Once inside the Clean Zone, put on the required personal protective equipment according to the facility's procedures, such as:

• Gown
• Hair cover
• Face mask
• Gloves
• Boots or footwear designated for the production area

Once fully prepared, employees can proceed to the production line or cleanroom according to the established procedures.

5. Clean the Bench Regularly

The stainless steel shoe-changing bench should be cleaned and disinfected regularly, especially models manufactured from Grade 304 or 316L stainless steel, which can be used with appropriate disinfectants, such as:

Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) at a concentration of 70%

Disinfectants approved for use in food manufacturing facilities and cleanrooms

Regular maintenance helps reduce the accumulation of microorganisms, maintain cleanliness, and extend the service life of the equipment.

Designing a Stainless Steel Shoe-Changing Bench to Suit Your Application

A stainless steel shoe-changing bench can be customized to suit the requirements of each facility, whether it is a food manufacturing plant, pharmaceutical factory, beverage factory, electronics factory, or cleanroom.

Additional functions and options can include:

• Shoe racks underneath the seating area
• Separate shoe storage compartments
• Customized length and number of seats according to the available space
• Detachable or movable designs
• Manufactured from Grade 304 or 316 stainless steel

Choosing a stainless steel shoe-changing bench that is suitable for the available space and number of employees helps keep the changing room organized and convenient to use. It also supports hygiene control from the very beginning, before employees enter the production area, which is an important factor in maintaining GMP standards and effectively reducing the risk of contamination within the facility.