4 replies to this topic

[Mmmm_food]

Hi everyone

 

We have had some hot temperatures recently (~40C) and workers have complained about the heat. Our existing controls (we have hot summers every year) are plenty of cool water available and some localised air conditioners that blow cool air into the air directly in front of them. The workers need to move around to do their jobs though, so they can't stand in front of the air conditioner all the time.

 

Workers have asked to open doors to let a breeze in. The factory is essentially a huge shed with three different entrances; one large roller door that is never used, a rapid roller door where there is frequent forklift movement and a large roller door that is opened when trucks make deliveries but kept shut the rest of the time. The policy is to keep all doors shut when not in use to prevent pest and dust ingress from outside.

 

Are there additional controls that we could put in place to either prevent pest and dust ingress from leaving the doors open or other options to cool down workers?

 

We have considered installation of a double roof (very long term goal and only if the capital could be approved) as well as chilly vests or chilly neck ties. Does anyone have any experience with these and can recommend?

 

Appreciate your help with this.

 

 

[Simon]

Hi, it's a common problem. 

It would be useful to know what your products are so that we can determine the risk and be able to provide you with some ideas.

Regards,

Simon

[Mmmm_food]

We manufacture carbonated soft drinks and bottled water. They are fairly low risk but we still need to maintain a hygienic environment.

[sinnae404]

I guess the risk assessment depends somewhat on the environment that you factory is located in.

In Australia, we have massive issues with flying insects in summer, so keeping the doors closed is really important.

 

Having said that, though, we come up against really hot weather and the exact debate you raise above comes up frequently.

 

Unfortunately, many older factories (and sometimes even newer ones) are not well designed with worker comfort in mind.

Possibly because, in times gone by, requirements around uniforms and closed facilities were loose or absent.

 

I feel you may need to push the senior managers / owners to invest in climate control for the factory, so you can keep the workers safe and correctly manage hygiene and pest control. 

[Charles.C]

We manufacture carbonated soft drinks and bottled water. They are fairly low risk but we still need to maintain a hygienic environment.

 

Hi Mmmm,

 

The risk classification of foods and their related manufacturing processes is a highly subjective activity. For example -
 

USFDA
The RA identified the following as low-risk activity/food combinations:  
•   Making hard candy, fudge, taffy, toffee;
•   Making cocoa products from roasted cocoa beans;
•   Making honey;  
•   Making jams, jellies and preserves from acid foods (e.g., acid fruits);  
•   Making maple syrup;  
•   Making soft drinks and carbonated water;
•   Making sugar from sugarcane and sugar beets;
•   Artificial ripening of intact fruits and vegetables;  
•   Boiling/evaporation of maple sap to make maple syrup;

 

etc

SQF

 carbonated soft drinks .png   17.73KB   0 downloads

 

Process / location is unknown but, offhand, I would not consider yr process as low risk. And would interpret "hygiene requirements" accordingly.

IMO this would exclude the open-air type scenarios you mention.

 

I can understand yr problem having audited canning factories with limited ventilation plus bakeries running at 30degC plus.

The hygienic solutions IMEX tend to focus on uniform, ventilation and AC.