Disabling workplace injuries—which may include cuts, burns or musculoskeletal disorders—cost U.S. businesses more than $59 billion annually. These injuries can lead to physical and emotional pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity or permanent health issues. Workers in the food manufacturing sector may face a higher likelihood of being injured on the job. Yet these accidents can be mitigated with fairly straightforward safety measures or increased employee training.
To avoid contamination of food, DuPont recommends garments made from its Tyvek and Tychem materials, which the company says are “designed to help prevent contamination from dust particles, bacteria, spores and parasites carried on regular clothing or the human body.” For workers, DuPont’s Kevlar yarns provide protection against injuries such as knife cuts or from manufacturing machinery.
Read more: Eye Protection Guide: Picking the Right Safety Glasses and Goggles
No. 2: Fit and Comfort
The protection offered by PPE is one of the last lines of defense against injury. To encourage employee use and compliance, garments and other protective products should fit well and be comfortable to wear. If safety equipment or apparel feels restrictive or interrupts a worker’s ability to do a job, it’s more likely to not be worn.
As the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) notes, PPE that does not fit properly “can make the difference between being safely covered or dangerously exposed,” and it “may not provide the level of protection desired and may discourage employee use.”
Companies should also ensure they are promoting a workplace safety culture that focuses on the importance of PPE use, as well as providing ongoing training to boost employee compliance. OSHA recommends employees be trained to know at least the following:
- When PPE is necessary for food safety
- What PPE is necessary for food safety
- How to properly put on, take off, adjust and wear PPE
- The limitations of PPE
- Proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of PPE
You can read about creating a PPE assessment plan for your business here.
Read more: Workplace Fall Protection: How to Use a Safety Harness and Lanyard
No. 3: Types of PPE for Food Safety
Workers in the food industry require protection in a range of circumstances, from avoiding cuts to preventing food contamination.
A range of good PPE options are out there for every circumstance. Here’s a rundown of some of the most common protective equipment:
- Cut protection: working with blades, knives or cutting machines can lead to serious injuries, making thick, steel mesh-lined gloves vital.
- Thermal protection: Extreme temperatures are commonplace in this industry, making thermal protection gear essential. This includes gloves, face shields and eye protection.
- Noise protection: PPE such as earmuffs or earplugs can help to mitigate the hearing damage caused by the loud noises that are often a feature of food processing facilities.
- Fall protection: Slips, trips and falls are common, due to the liquids used in food preparation and cleaning. Floor mats and slip-resistant shoes can help reduce these injuries.
- Chemical protection: disposable coveralls, face shields, eye protection and gloves can protect against chemicals, sprays and splatters. Chemical-resistant shoe covers can also help. Respiratory protection may also be required if toxic fumes are present.
Read more: Air Filtration: What Are MERV Ratings and How Do They Protect Your Workers?
How are you making sure your employees are safe at work? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Hello, great article. I have a question, what organization officially approves PPE or new submissions for PPE’s?
thank you.
32Good day, thank you, what is correct PPE for visitors or maintenance people in a food premises?
30I need to send you a quotation request for Chef's PPE.
Please provide me with your email address where I can send you a quotation request
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