Do we really need to cover our ears with the hairnet?
Hi,
I know this might have been answered already but I can't anything to solve my problem
We are packaging manufacturing factory and we do make food grade packaging as well
My question is, does we really need to cover our ears with the hairnet? what if lots of people are against it? how do we go about solving this?
Perhaps a risk assessment might solve the problem? but where to start?
Your valuable input will be appreciated
Many Thanks
Compliance guy
Hello CG, ears are useful for anchoring the hairnet to the head, without this rule they tend to congregate further and further to the top centre of the head until they become like a cherry on top of a bun.
Regards,
Simon
Hairnets are hard to be "lenient" on. You're either going to have to go around splitting hairs (bwahahahaha!) about what's "good enough" or set a standard policy that everyone has to follow.
As far as a food safety risk, given the food code allows "hair restraints" that includes hats etc., if you wanted to say over the ears is fine you can risk assess that away (e.g by comparing exposed hair to arm hair). But be warned that as Simon stated, you will have to police that the hairnets are still "effective" when worn this way.
Loved that answer Simon!
Ear wax can be an issue, having been in more than a couple of facilities where the employees didn't like to wear their hairnets properly until two places had a "foreign substance" found in their RTE products... yuppers - Ear wax!
Thanks Glenn. :smile:
Loved that answer Simon!
Ear wax can be an issue, having been in more than a couple of facilities where the employees didn't like to wear their hairnets properly until two places had a "foreign substance" found in their RTE products... yuppers - Ear wax!
That's impressive...and gross. I'm guessing a bakery?
I have worked in a facility that did not require over the ears and another that does require over the ears. I will say covering the ears with the hairnet significantly reduces the amount of violations regarding hair sticking out. It really is not an issue with staff either because everyone wears them over the ears and it is just accepted to be the proper way. Highly recommended!
Hairnets are a fickle creature,
First i would understand the issue of hair, lice, dead skin, ear wax, ear hair, and oils is mitigated from products if worn correctly as designed, this includes bald men or men who shave their head.
Second i would ask what is the impact on your process and products if hairnets were not worn correctly, i.e if said contaminants were to enter the process or become embedded in your products. If i found bits of hair lice embedded in my packaging i would use a new supplier, and damage to name brand could suffer.
If you find that A the risk and severity of contamination being present if not worn exists and is unacceptable to you then i would say 1) wear them and 2) wear them properly as best practice in food manufacturing or manufacturing of food grade materials would require it over the ears.
And you didnt ask about Snoods which to me is the same deal. over the mouth under the nose if tight but generally over the nose is common.
There to me should be no question about staff not wanting to do it, because end of the day, if they dont understand why they should wear them properly then they should not be working for you. Those who take pride in their work with a sense of pride should understand the need to wear them and not argue the point.
Make a company policy, show a poster of what good looks like, and set that as your site wide standard!.
But you know you will always get those smart people who question you why some places mac D, Greeeegs and the like who have staff who some wear just hats, some wear just hairnets and some who wear combinations of both. but then LOL look at the makeup they wear and the fake nails, lashes etc.
On the topic of hairnets i have a similar issue which i shall post in my own thread :D