The Cleanroom

As most of you know, Tessa and I work for the same company, in the same department, on the same manufacturing floor. Our company makes medical devices, and this means that our manufacturing floor is not located in a dimly lit , grimy factory. Instead, we work in The Cleanroom!

In the cleanroom, hairnets, gowns, and gloves are required; handwashing and shoe-covers are a must (see picture above for the upper half or our stylishly immaculate digs). Before entering, we have to go through a process called "gowning" which involves donning our hairnets and putting on our shoe-covers in an elaborate dance across an imaginary line separating "clean space" and "filthy space". We then have to thoroughly wash and air dry (paper towels give off particles) our hands, then suit up in our choice of white pinstripe, sky blue, or janitorial navy (seen above) gowns. If we need to bring anything into The Cleanroom it must be wiped down with 140 proof alcohol (actually it's 70% isopropyl, not so good for drinking). Needless to say, my computer is spotless. After checking the door light to make sure the exterior door isn't open, we enter the chaotic yet productive atmosphere of The Cleanroom. We pick up gloves on the left and snap them on as we walk to the makeshift engineering workstation ahead. And thus our day begins.

We wanted to bring you a glimpse of the place where we spend nearly half of our lives. Notice we are smiling in the picture above. Despite the long hours and stressful situtations we love our jobs and the people we work with. The Cleanroom is our home away from home.