Tips To Improve Safety in Food Manufacturing
The safety in a food manufacturing environment isn’t the responsibility of one single person. Instead, it’s up to every single person actively working to ensure it remains a safe and comfortable environment to work in. While accidents are bound to happen in any type of industry, there are certain precautions we can do to help reduce the risk and lower the impact of such occurrences; here’s how:
Familiarize Yourself With The Equipment
First and foremost, any employee working on a piece of equipment must fully understand how it operates. This may seem like common sense to some, but many individuals injure themselves simply because they don’t know how to properly use a machine. Whether it’s a conveyer, processing or packaging machine, the employee must be formally trained on it’s use and how to operate it.
Every piece of food manufacturing equipment operates differently. When a company purchases a new model or switches it out for something else, everyone working that line must be re-trained on the new features and uses of the machine.
Cut-Resistant Gloves
Cut-resistant gloves are a fairly new invention which have revolutionized safety practices in a number of industries, including food manufacturing. These look and wear like traditional gardening gloves but are made with a more durable material to prevent blades from cutting through. Some of the most popular types of cut-resistant gloves are made of 100% knitted Kevlar (same material as bullet-proof vests). Others are made using high-grade steel wire.
Of course there are both advantages and disadvantages associated with using cut-resistant gloves. The obvious advantage is that it will help protect your hands in the event they come into contact with a blade or cutting device. It may not prevent all types of injuries, but wearing a pair of Kevlar grade gloves will certainly offer some protection. The downside is that some individuals may find wearing these gloves limits their mobility and speed.
Following Safety Guidelines
Each and every company should have a set of safety guidelines for their employees to follow. It’s important to keep this list updated and make amends to them when necessary. Typically, these include precautions to protect the well-being of both the employees and the consumers.
Following the guidance outlined above isn’t a sure-fire way to prevent accidents, but it will certainly improve the overall safety in your working environment. Have your employees formally trained on any equipment they’re working on, and always follow the safety guidelines set forth. In addition, you may want to notify employees about the availability of cut-resistant gloves.