In this article, we answer five of the most common questions relating to handles and their role within the food industry. 

Here at Klipspringer, we spend a lot of time talking to customers about cleaning equipment. This is always a reassuring sign, as it would be impossible for a site to run smoothly, meet its targets, and secure compliance if it failed to think seriously about this subject. 

Although there is a general consensus that cleaning equipment is incredibly important, it can be difficult for sites to know exactly how this should impact their purchases.

We receive a lot of questions relating to brushware and, more specifically, the handles that should be paired with each utensil. With this in mind, we wanted to address some of the most popular queries and hopefully simplify the process of you finding the right handles for your site.    

In this article, we will be answering the following questions. Click the links below if you would prefer to skip to the option most relevant to your needs: 

What size handle should I choose?

What colour handle should I choose?

What material should my handle be made from?

How do I find handles my operatives will be happy with?

What is the most popular handle option?

What size handle should I choose?

Ranging from a 650mm Ergonomic Handle to a Nine Stage Telescopic Handle that reaches 9.5 metres, the Klipspringer collection has a length for every application. 

If you already know what you are looking for, you can use the filter tool on our website to access the handles that meet your specifications. Alternatively, if you are unsure about the exact length you require, our friendly team would be happy to help you with your enquiries, contact them on 01473 461800 or sales@klipspringer.com. We would also recommend working your way through the following three steps:

Speak to your operatives directly. You might discover they have been making do with handles that are a manageable length, but not ideal. This could be an opportunity for you to correct this issue. You may even end up with a range of handle lengths to reflect the different heights and physical requirements of your team.

Explore the benefits of a Telescopic Handle. Depending on the processes taking place at your site, you may be able to use the same handle for different applications – relying on a shorter length for close up cleaning, then extending the handle to reach those high up areas. This could save you the cost of purchasing more handles than you need. It will also make life easier in a smaller factory, as you will have fewer handles to store. This is also true of handles with a universal thread that is interchangeable between utensils.

Evaluate your selection of handles on a regular basis. Every time there is a new process added to your site, whether that’s through the creation of a new Cleaning Instruction Card or the introduction of a new ingredient, you need to make sure you have the right handle for the job. Although it might seem like a way to cut costs, using the wrong handle for an application will slow your site down, frustrate or even hurt your operatives, and act as a serious red flag for visiting customers and inspectors.

What colour handle should I choose?

As with all your cleaning equipment, it’s important that the handles at your site are colour-coded. This tried and tested method for reducing the risk of contamination will help you to drive accountability amongst your operatives and impress inspectors during your upcoming audits. If you have already chosen brush heads for your factory, it makes sense to order handles in the corresponding colours – anything else would be confusing!

Alternatively, if you are still in the process of selecting both your handles and your brush heads, you can access our official guide to colour-coding using the button below. This overview will help you to assign colours to the specific zones and applications within your site. And as for the colours you have to choose from? Well, there are 11 distinct options in our range of handles: 

  • Blue
  • Red
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • White
  • Black
  • Orange
  • Purple
  • Grey
  • Brown
  • Pink
The Klipspringer Guide to Colour-Coding

What material should my handle be made from?

Aluminium

Aluminium is a popular choice for handles within the food and beverage industry. In the interest of providing ultimate strength, our aluminium handles use 25mm top quality rolled tubing that is 1.5mm thick and welded at the side. Any exposed aluminium is food contact approved and has been anodised for a permanent, high shine finish. In addition to this, the aluminium tubing has been effectively sealed off and the threaded connectors have been press fitted – blanking off the tube centres to prevent contamination and condensation from forming inside.  

Nylon Reinforced Polypropylene

The Klipspringer range also includes handles that have been made in one piece from nylon reinforced polypropylene. This clever design choice significantly reduces the risk of both bacterial and foreign body contamination, as the handles are completely free from crevices, rough surfaces, and bug traps. As a result, these handles are hygienic, durable, and easy to clean. What’s more, they are much lighter than the aluminium alternatives – providing your operatives with a lightweight, anti-fatigue experience that protects against strain and serious injuries.  

Aluminium with a Polypropylene Sheath or Sleeve

Another option is to select an aluminium handle with a polypropylene sheath or sleeve. This winning combination pairs the strength and durability of an aluminium handle with the anti-fatigue properties and comfortable grip of a polypropylene alternative. The presence of an ergonomic sleeve or sheath will also act as a temperature barrier between the handle and the hands of its user. This could be particularly useful if your site operates at cold or freezing temperatures and your workers are frequently complaining about their hands or asking for thicker gloves.

Fibreglass

The final material for you to explore is fibreglass. Incredibly strong, but surprisingly lightweight, there are a number of fibreglass handles within the Klipspringer range. From our Multi Stage Telescopic Handle that can reach heights of up to 9.5 meters to our Four Stage Waterfed Handle that is ideal for factory washdowns, we have used fiberglass to enhance a wide range of cleaning equipment. 

We have even developed a Hybrid Fibreglass and Carbon Waterfed Handle that can tackle areas where height is an issue. The perfect match for our condensation squeegee, this lightweight, durable option requires minimal maintenance and is resistant to corrosion.    

Discover our selection of Telescopic Handles
Explore our full range of Professional Handles

How do I find handles my operatives will be happy with?

Along with driving efficiency, improving hygiene standards, and impressing auditors, the right handles will also make all the difference when it comes to supporting and retaining your workforce. With the demand for skilled operatives so high, you can’t afford to ignore the daily gripes of your team. Whether they are straining to reach lofty heights or struggling to grip freezing cold handles, it is your responsibility to take their complaints seriously and find suitable solutions. 

If you are searching for handles that will be a hit with your operatives, you should prioritise the following features: 

  1. Lightweight: A lightweight handle will help your workforce to avoid injury, preserve their energy, and speed up their daily tasks. Of course you want your handles to be durable too, but this shouldn’t be at the expense of your team.
  2. Stress-free Grip: Your operatives will also thank you for investing in handles with a stress-free grip. This will save them from putting too much pressure on their arms or wrists. It could also reduce the risk of accidents, as they will be less likely to drop or lose control of equipment. 
  3. Temperature Barrier: If you site operates at cold or freezing temperatures, it’s important that your handles feature a protective sleeve or sheath. Alternatively, you could opt for a material like polypropylene that won’t be impacted by its environment.  
  4. Durable: To save your operatives from working with subpar or even broken equipment, you will need to select a durable design. Doing so will also help your workforce to take accountability for their actions, as there will no longer be an easy excuse for damage. 
  5. Easy to clean: A hygienic design is the best way to ensure the handles at your site are easy to clean. Instead of worrying about cracks and crevices, your hygiene team should be able to clean any handles in a few smooth motions.  

What is the most popular handle option?

Here at Klipspringer, our most-loved handle is the One Piece Ergo. Here are a few of the qualities that make this handle such a popular choice: 

  • One-piece design: free from crevices, rough surfaces, and bug traps that could harbour bacteria
  • Made from nylon reinforced polypropylene that doesn’t corrode, bend, or tarnish 
  • Ergonomic design for a better grip 
  • Lightweight enough to protect your operatives from strain and fatigue 
  • Available in 11 distinct colours 
  • Available in three different sizes 
  • Compatible with standard Klipspringer brush heads 
Discover the One Piece Ergo Handle

Now that you have reached the end of our guide to handles, we hope that you are able to identify the styles, lengths, colours, and materials that would be best suited to your site and most valued by your operatives. We appreciate that the number of options is almost overwhelming, but the upside is that you will always be able to find the right handle for an application, no matter how obscure or complex. Whether you need a telescopic handle to reach the highest parts of your factory or a standard-length handle for simple brushing and mopping, we have made sure there is a model to meet your requirements. If you require any further assistance when it comes to selecting the right handle for your site, simply contact our team on 01473 461800 or sales@klipspringer.com. You can also fill out the contact form below. 

If you would like further guidance relating to your Handles, the Klipspringer team would be happy to help. Share your details below to arrange a free consultation.