The profitability and productivity of any food processing facility abundantly depends on the health and safety of the workers and the work environment. Globally, the food processing industry is also one of the most closely regulated industries as food contamination could have significant health and financial consequences.
The use of Personal Protective Equipment or PPE thus becomes crucial for every food processing unit. From preventing contamination, injuries, burns, chemical exposure, spoilage to reducing waste and inefficiencies, several significant reasons make effective and comfortable PPE a must for every individual working in a food processing unit.
So, what are the right PPE for the food processing industry? Take a look-
1. Thermal Protection
Extreme temperatures are part of day-to-day operations at most food processing facilities. This makes thermal protection gear essential for the workers. The type and quality of the protection gear depend on the tasks performed at the facility and the duration for which the workers remain in contact with hot or cold temperatures.
Gloves, dust mask, and eye protection gear are commonly used for protecting the workers against thermal risks.
2. Cut Protection
The most common cause of bodily injuries in food facilities is cuts caused by blades, knives, and cutting machines. This makes high-quality, thick gloves vital for every worker who handles items or tools that could result in injuries. At the time of purchasing, buyers should confirm the thickness and cut resistance attribute of the gloves for effective protection.
At the same time, ensure that the gloves are comfortable to wear so that the workers do not face any inconveniences while working with sharp objects.
3. Asbestos Management
Thousands of buildings across the UK still have asbestos. Many such buildings are used as food processing facilities. As a result, it is necessary for every unit also to have an asbestos management plan. The management should make a note of any asbestos that is present in the facility, and the same should be informed to the workers as well.
Products such as asbestos bags should also be available in adequate quantities for disposing of asbestos if needed. The bags should be UN certified for all the latest UK regulations regarding Asbestos Waste and Disposal Bags.
4. Noise Protection
The high noise levels at several food processing facilities could have severe health concerns for the employees. At the same time, it is also vital for the workers to be able to hear alarms and warning sounds of the machines installed at the facility. The noise levels and working conditions of every worker should be assessed for selecting the right ear protection gear.
Helmet-mounted earmuffs, spark plugs, and disposable earplugs are some of the most commonly used ear protection PPE at food processing facilities.
5. Chemical Hazards
Many different types of hazardous disinfectants are used for cleaning equipment at food processing facilities. If the facility also has a cooling system, anhydrous ammonia, which is commonly used in these systems, is also a major threat. Employees who work with these disinfectants or cooling systems should be provided adequate information about safe handling and disposal.
PPE products such as coveralls, spray mask, gloves, and eyewear should be provided for enhanced safety of the workers.
6. Injury Protection
Slips, falls, and trips are also common causes of injuries in food facilities as a lot of liquids are used for cleaning and preparation. As compared to the manufacturing industry average of 24.8 injuries from slips and falls per 10,000 workers, the average in the food industry is 30.9.
Foot PPE, like non-skid and chemical-resistant shoe covers, should be considered to reduce such injuries. Matting the floor surface is another effective way to reduce slips and falls.
Balancing Food and Worker Protection with the Right PPE
Using the right PPE in the food processing facilities helps the workers, food products, and ultimately, the customers. But it is essential for the management of such facilities to correctly understand the safety needs of their unit and employees to pick the right PPE.
Discussed above are some of the most common risks faced by the food processing industry. Consider purchasing the recommended PPE from a reputed online store to significantly enhance the safety and quality of your work environment.
