While food safety is crucial, it is equally imperative that managers prioritise employee safety. There are several types of hazards that workers in the food and drink production industry face daily. As with other manufacturing jobs, many of the same hazards exist in food and beverage production, but they can be worsened by the addition of food products, which also come with their own warnings and precautions.
Workers in the food industry encounter specific types of risks, such as wet, slippery surfaces, exposure to chemical products or standing all day. Slips, trips and falls are among one of the main causes of accidents in this field, comprising 35% of major injuries reported. To prevent these types of incidents, safety footwear is required, and ensuring employee safety and well-being is paramount.
Keep reading to review the 6 most common hazards faced by workers in the food manufacturing industry.
1. Physical hazards
Blades, rolling parts, presses and rubber guards pose the greatest hazard for workers in the food manufacturing industry. Without proper training, interacting with these types of machine parts could result in cuts, burns or other serious injuries to your employees. To ensure their full protection, workers must be trained to correctly remove and replace guards if they are broken or missing. Remember that operating a machine without proper guards in place goes against health and safety standards.
Machine guarding should be your main priority for protecting your employees against physical hazards in the food manufacturing industry. Conducting regular reviews of guards and equipment will help ensure your workers are not putting themselves in harmful or unsafe positions. Guards can be fixed or removable; if the latter, they should be locked in place to prevent one of your workers from removing them while operating the machines.
2. Electrical hazards
Another common hazard in the food manufacturing industry is electricity. Water and other liquids also pose a threat because there is a risk of electrical shocks or currents being transmitted when relative humidity reaches a certain percentage. Machinery and assembly lines require power, which brings greater responsibility.
Ensure that all leads, wiring, protective covers and grounding of equipment are all inspected regularly. Although the procedures you employ may change over time, each part of your manufacturing equipment must be inspected and updated as necessary.
3. Chemical hazards
When handling chemical products, your workers must thoroughly wash and sanitise their hands at the end of each shift and before returning to their station. Although, substitution of harsher chemicals with gentler ones is not always possible, it should be the first choice for protecting your workers. Train and educate your employees on the chemicals used in your facility. Remind them to review the following safety steps:
- First-aid steps
- What to do in case of a chemical release
- What PPE (personal protective equipment) is required to prevent injuries.
AI-powered visual inspection systems and other technological advancements can assist in identifying potentially harmful substances or contaminants that the human eye might otherwise miss.
