In the world of food processing, there are strict laws and regulations every business owner needs to adhere to in order to keep their business licence, maintain customer and distributor trust and loyalty, and preserve the efficiency and efficacy in the workplace. Among the numerous processes you need to regularly monitor and improve, facility organisation, sanitation, and adequate working conditions need to be addressed.
Given the fact that the industry demands your business to operate at top performance on a year-round basis, it can get easy for certain tasks and details to slip through the cracks. Here to help you avoid costly fines, or worse, lose your licence, are the essential tips for organising your food processing facility.
1.Creating a Clutter-Free Environment
The first problem every facility needs to address is storage. Clutter can accumulate quickly in such a high-traffic, high load environment, in turn impeding daily performance, endangering employee safety, and negatively influencing efficiency. This is why it’s imperative to provide adequate storage and educate your employees about proper clutter management on a daily basis.
Every product and load that finds its way into your facility needs to have its designated storage place. Remember that lanes and walkways should never be used for this purpose, so consider introducing vertical or overhead storage if you are really short on space. If your business is growing and you are thinking about expanding your volume, then consider renovating the old or building new storage areas to hold more goods.
2.The Importance of Water Treatment
Producing high-quality products is important in any industry, but when it comes to the food and beverage sectors, the consumer market and regulatory bodies can be merciless. Stellar quality is the norm in this industry, which is why eliminating water contaminants by using contemporary industrial UV water treatment systems in order to avoid wastage, product recalls, customer dissatisfaction and regulatory fines is of the utmost importance.
Given the fact that water is used in almost every process in your facility, you have to ensure that no pathogens, bacteria, chemicals, or any other hazardous elements are present in the water that’s used in the process of making of your products. Remember, you cannot guarantee impeccable water purity based on the quality of your pipework alone – there needs to be a strong water purification system in place as well.
3.Spaciousness and Manoeuvrability
Minimising workplace accidents and non-fatal injuries is another crucial element of a thriving food processing business. In order to avoid costly mishaps and create a safe and efficient work environment, you need to keep your walkways and passageways clear of any clutter and ensure easy manoeuvrability across the board.
To that end, consider thoroughly marking and labelling the interior of your facility, making it easier for your employees to navigate the space. Another good idea is to install mirrors in strategic spots to eliminate any blind spots. These tips solve issues related to floor maintenance and safety.
4.Quality Flooring
In a high-traffic area such as a food processing facility, the floor not only needs to be durable enough to withstand the constant stress of daily traffic, but it also needs to be safe enough to prevent and even eliminate slips, falls, and injuries in the workplace. In order to achieve this, regular floor maintenance and inspection is a must, paying close attention whether or not there are any uneven joints, torn carpeting, protruding nails, or loose boards around the facility.
Typically, a solid concrete floor works best in a high-traffic area because of its inherent durability. However, because concrete can get slippery quickly, it’s also important to cover the surface with durable non-slip rubber matting that will provide protection for the slab as well as keep your employees safe.
5.Adhering to Proper Sanitation
Finally, workplace cleanliness is not only crucial in avoiding costly fines when inspection day arrives, but it also plays an important role in creating a productive, healthy, and positive work environment. This is why you want to adhere to regular facility-wide cleaning, and introduce a company-wide cleanliness policy your employees will take to heart. This way, you will create an effective cleaning culture that will benefit your company, your employees, and ultimately, your consumers.
Organising a food processing facility is not something to be left to individual devices. Rather, the process requires careful planning and exact implementation in order for your company to comply with the rigorous laws and regulations enforced by the governing bodies. Stick to these essential tips in order to satisfy the needs of your employees, superiors, and customers.
