What is a hygiene lock in the barn?

A hygiene lock connects or rather separates the area outside the barn ("red area") and the barn itself ("green area"). The function of the hygiene lock is to protect your barn from pathogens. Visitors and employees change their clothing, shower, clean and disinfect their hands here.

Why is a hygiene lock so important in agriculture?

A hygiene lock is a crucial barrier to protect your animals from pathogens and to keep viruses and bacteria outside the farm. It is an important component of an effective biosecurity system.

What does the "red and green areas" mean in a hygiene lock?

The "traffic light principle" refers to the separation of different areas within the hygiene lock. The red section is the part of the hygiene lock that visitors or employees enter when arriving from outside the farm. This is where everyday clothing is removed. The orange section is the transition zone to the barn, where visitors shower. In the green section, visitors and employees put on farm-specific clothing. The areas are visibly separated. This can be achieved with a bench, or most ideally, with a shower cabin.

How often should I clean the hygiene lock?

On a daily basis, you should ensure that the hygiene lock is clean, keeping the floors free of dirt—especially in the red area. Also, make sure that the bench separating the areas, if applicable, remains clean. Disinfect high-touch, potentially contaminated surfaces such as water taps/faucets, benches, or door knobs. Empty trash cans and refill soap and disinfectant dispensers. On a weekly basis, you should thoroughly clean the floors and walls and change the boot disinfectant. Wash all barn clothing that has been worn. When changing batches, you should completely clean and disinfect the entire hygiene lock thoroughly and replenish all consumable supplies, such as paper towels.

Hygiene lock in the stable

How do I set up a hygiene lock in my stable?

A well-functioning hygiene lock is set up in different areas and forms the transition between the outside world and the barn. In other words, it establishes a barrier against the introduction of animaldiseases like ASF, BVD or bird flu.

In this guide, you will learn what these areas are, which products and equipment you need, and which rules to follow.

How is a hygiene lock structured?
Expert Tip
Further recommendations for an effective hygiene lock

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How is a hygiene lock structured?

The hygiene lock should be placed in front of the stable because it forms the transition between the outside world and the barn. This area should be clearly marked with a sign so that visitors do not accidentally enter the barn without going through the lock. Depending on the livestock kept in the barn it differs if and what rules and regulations apply. However, in general a hygiene lock consists of two or rather three areas:

A hygiene lock has only one entrance and one exit. Visitors and employees should follow strict routes (one-way traffic only) to ensure the barn does not get contaminated with bacteria or viruses.

Red area of the hygiene lock in the barn

The red area is the potentially contaminated section located outside the main company premises. In this area, visitors and staff must remove their personal clothing. The following must be available here:

A visitor's log
Storage compartments, hooks, or lockers for the personal clothing and jewelry of visitors
A sink with soap and disinfectant
A waste bin
UV cabinet: Disinfects small equipment (such as phones and tools) and prevents the introduction of germs.

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Green changing room with shower for hygiene routine

The orange area

The red (dirty) and green (clean) zones of a hygiene lock must be separated by a clear, physical barrier, such as a bench.

This makes it immediately clear to visitors which zone they are in and prevents them from accidentally entering the other zone.

Ideally, a shower is located between the two zones. This allows visitors to shower before entering the barn (the green zone) and after their visit. The shower area must be equipped with:

Shower gel/shampoo
Clean towels
A floor squeegee

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Green area of the hygiene lock in the barn

From the orange zone, you enter the green zone (the barn area). Here, visitors put on clean, farm-owned clothing. The following must be provided in the green zone:

Clean farm-owned clothing, footwear, socks, and underwear
Clean coveralls in various sizes
Boots/clogs in various sizes
A sink with soap and disinfectant
A waste bin
A laundry basket for dirty farm clothing (after the visit)
Disinfectant for boots (e.g., MS KiemKill)
Clear routing signs

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Room with Hygiene stuff and yellow overalls and boots.

4 tips to set up your own hygiene lock in the barn

Step 1

Choose the right place

Position the hygiene lock directly at the entrance of the barn and ensure good lighting, using both natural and artificial light. Offer a separate toilet for drivers and other visitors; this prevents unnecessary entry into the barn and reduces the risk of contamination.

Step 2

Flooring and walls

Coat the walls of the hygiene lock so they are easy to clean. Keep the floor space as clear as possible by mounting items like waste bins on the wall. Additionally, ensure the floor is sloped; this prevents puddles from forming and simplifies cleaning. Finally, install separate floor drains in both the red and green zones to maintain optimal hygiene.

Step 3

Inventory

Equip both the red and green zones of the hygiene lock with all necessary supplies. Offer clean farm clothing and personal hygiene products, and provide an option for hygienically storing used clothing and towels. The visitor register is one of the most important components of the lock; ensure it is easy for everyone to fill out.Organize tools by colour

Step 4

Signage

Use clear signage to indicate to visitors where the entrance to the hygiene lock is located and which areas they are not allowed to enter, preventing accidental entry. In addition, you should hang up instructional signs inside the lock itself. These provide guidance on correct behavior—such as "Wash and disinfect hands" or "Entry only with barn clothing"—thereby assisting visitors in following protocols.

Products for your hygiene lock

Expert advice

Mart Klijn, HyCare Specialist "Farms transitioning to HyCare often already have a hygiene lock, with or without a walk-through shower, but they are not always optimally set up. The first thing we advise then is to thoroughly clean the hygiene lock and subsequently keep it clean on a weekly basis. A hygiene lock must invite people to use it"