Summer Refresh: Embracing a Productive Season Ahead
In the realm of industrial operations, Mike Kapalko, Industrial Segment Manager for the Tork brand at Essity, is championing a fresh approach to hygiene. His strategies aim to elevate hygiene from a mere afterthought to a crucial element that can significantly enhance operational efficiency.
At the heart of Kapalko's strategies is the concept of **placing smarter, not more**. Instead of indiscriminately increasing the number of hygiene stations, he advocates for strategically locating them where they will have the greatest impact. This approach minimises disruption, maximises usage efficiency, and supports continual cleanliness without causing workflow interruptions.
Another key strategy is **training for resilience**. Kapalko emphasises the importance of educating the workforce on best practices for sanitation, personal hygiene, and how to respond quickly to contamination or hazards. This training not only increases operational reliability but also reduces infection risks that could cause downtime or workforce shortages.
The third strategy is **auditing ahead of the rush**. Regular audits and proactive inspections allow plant managers to identify potential hygiene risks before peak production times or emergency situations, preventing interruptions and ensuring continuous compliance with safety standards.
In addition to these strategies, Kapalko also suggests combining hygiene with overall disease and safety management, using technology and data to monitor hygiene compliance, air quality, and equipment status, and collaborating across departments to align hygiene goals with overall plant performance objectives.
By embedding these hygiene strategies into operational frameworks, plant managers can reduce downtime, enhance workforce health, and maintain efficient, compliant production processes. Kapalko's strategies are not just about keeping employees healthy and equipment clean; they are designed to make hygiene an integral part of a plant's operational edge, maximising hygiene to optimise plant output and minimise interruptions.
Science plays a vital role in Kapalko's workplace-wellness strategies, as he utilizes data and technology to monitor hygiene compliance, air quality, and equipment status. By integrating hygiene with overall disease and safety management, these strategies aim to boost business performance through health-and-wellness improvements and financial efficiency.
