Cobwebs in the Factory: How Do You Prevent Their Formation and Ensure Safety?

The cobweb is really a nuisance inside the factory. Do you have any ideas on how to prevent its formation? Is there any spray available for this purpose? Please advise.

Regards,
SSM

The solution suggested by Sunil Sardar is not congenial to health as well as other hazards. The best method is to whitewash with an added dose of Borax and Camphor. Use 50 grams of borax in 10 kg of lime. You can also add 30 grams of camphor. This will make the place hygienic and provide a long-term solution against almost all pests. If the problem recurs early, you can spray the borax solution only. All pests will run away or die. This method is completely harmless to humans.

Dear Colleagues,

I go with Surendera M. Bhanot to prevent the cobweb. However, even his whitewash method will not be helpful for export-oriented food industries. I have worked as a production manager in one of the leading egg powder manufacturing and exporting factories. Though we have good infrastructure and maintain good housekeeping (we spend around 45,000 Rs for tissue paper alone per month).

I strongly believe there should be an exclusive 5S team in the food industry. However, the cleaning frequency of cobwebs depends on the type of industry.

Regards,

S.L. Subramanian, 5S Consultant, and Motivational Speaker

Erode

9524549989

What I have given was an economical way to prevent the pest problem in the general industry.

For the Food/Pharma industry, we recommend the coating of all the surfaces with the Chlorinated Rubber admixed with the Epoxy system every six months. It is also recommended that the moisture may be wiped off every now and then to prevent fungus growth in such industries. Installation of dehumidifiers is also recommended.

My case is different. It's a mechanical engineering industry built up by metal sheets where whitewashing is not possible. Please suggest accordingly.

Regards,
SSM

Go in for a coating of Chlorinated Rubber Paint Coating. This paint is not costly (rather cheaper than the 1st Quality Enamel Paint). It is not only anti-pathogenic but also anti-corrosive. It will save your MS Sheets from industrial corrosion. The paint is available in many colors to suit your requirements. Industries usually use Smoke Grey, Light Grey, or White Paint. It is available as Industrial Paint, and reputed companies manufacture it. If you have any difficulty procuring the same, you can contact Innovation Coatings Pvt. Limited in Chandigarh at [Login to view].

Dear Sir,

I am part of a press tool component industry that manufactures automotive parts. There is no possibility of any fire as the mixture we use contains water. This maintenance exercise is usually carried out on our weekly off day. The purpose of these three components is threefold. Firstly, due to the water content (specifically the viscosity of water), the mixture easily absorbs into the wall surface. To challenge this, you can only use Phenol and see how quickly it is absorbed compared to water. Secondly, Phenyl itself is the main attacking substance, and thirdly, Kerosine lingers in corners for a longer period compared to phenol. Additionally, there are cobwebs mostly at the roof level. We have been using this same method for the past 3-4 years as it is a cost-effective solution compared to others suggested by my colleague.

To apply this mixture, one must place a ladder near the spot and spray it from a distance of 2-3 feet. It is advisable for the person administering the spray to wear surgical gloves and cover their face with a thin white cloth like an ODHANI cloth. This precaution ensures that even if cobwebs fall on the face accidentally, there is no risk of skin irritation. However, this method is not the only option. You are free to explore other more expensive methods recommended by other professionals.

Thank you.

I work in a correctional facility, and we sometimes have had issues with spiders too. Our exterminator sprays the baseboards for ants and roaches but not the spiders & webs because of inmates occupying 95% of the facility. To spray upwards is not good for humans, and the exterminator explained that if you get rid of the other bugs, the spiders will leave since that is their source of food.

Every now and then, an inmate will complain of a spider, but the exterminator is here regularly, and each area is sprayed once a month. There may be a better way, but this is how we treat them because of the constant presence of people.

Hope this helps in some way.

C. McGowan

I may add that whatever you may apply paint, whitewash, or emulsion, please add 50g of borax powder in the thinner or water (whatever the diluent is) and then add it to the medium (do not add directly) and stir well. Borax powder is a strong insecticide (but safe for humans). Also, add the Camphor (liquid Camphor is available at Homeopathic Stores as Mother Tincture). These two are the biggest deterrents of flies, mosquitoes, and almost all sorts of insects. Lakshman Rekha too contains these ingredients plus Chalk Powder.

Dear Sir, We want to check the performance of this mixture in our mill. However, you have mentioned phenol in one place and phenyl in another. Which one is correct? Please confirm as soon as possible.

Aakhya