Facility housekeeping essentials for a food processing startup

Clean processing facilities are the most important requirement for food security. It is more unlikely that the safety of food could be compromised if the location and equipment used to complete every production run is clean. The occupational health and safety authorities offer general guidelines on what to do in order to keep areas clean. Still, it’s the responsibility of the employees of the plant, particularly those who aren’t part of the Department of Sanitation, to adhere to the guidelines with no exception. Here are the most critical elements to keep your food processing facility spotless and secure.

Clean walkways

Falls, slips, and trips are the leading reasons for non-fatal accidents in industrial facilities. It is the responsibility of floor managers to ensure that pathways, passageways, and stairwells are free of obstructions and simple to navigate. The aisles must be clearly marked with suitable signage and corner mirrors that eliminate blind areas. Floor hazards like joints that are uneven and carpets made of rubber that have been damaged, nails protruding, or loose boards require immediate attention and removal.

Safe flooring

A clean and dry floor is crucial in every industrial plant, particularly for food processing lines where the potential for spills and leaks is higher. If you’re considering the construction of a new facility or the expansion or renovation of an existing facility, be sure the floor is appropriate for the production processes to be carried out. If your floor plans include wet areas, it is essential to have drainage systems that are slip-free, as well as mats that are anti-slip or elevated platforms that employees can sit on.

UV water purification

Safety and high-quality food processing facilities aren’t based solely on the cleanliness of the facility. Any production process can lead to recalls and waste con, summer complaints, and fines from regulatory authorities. Because every food and beverage processing industry is dependent on large quantities of pure water, Commercial UV sterilizers are the best to eliminate microorganisms like viruses, bacteria protozoa, spores, molds, yeast, and Nematoda. They also remove algae. UV disinfection systems are flexible and can be utilized in any phase of the process in which safe water is required.

Water softening

Water hardness is typically caused by magnesium and calcium minerals that are dissolved that, when present in large quantities, can cause limescale issues in the pipes and sieves that can cause UV system fouling and make it difficult to repair the industrial equipment that water is utilized. A commercially-produced water softener placed in the pre-treatment process safeguards other water treatment processes like UV purification. Also, it prolongs the lifespan of warm and hot water systems and heat exchangers, as well as mixing valves that are thermostatically controlled, eliminating and cleaning the limescale that is already present.

Safe storage options

Disorganized and messy storage is a common occurrence in all industrial facilities. However, the items that are left in walkways and work areas can slow down the movement of people and decrease visibility, which could lead to accidents or property damage. Floor managers must ensure that the areas they work in and the routes between them are free of clutter by providing adequate storage and the attainable organizational systems that go along with it. Companies that specialize in storage and warehouse technologies have a broad range of industrial lifts as well as modular racks and intelligent retrieval systems, making everyday storage operations easier and more secure.

Permanent sanitation

Food processing facilities depend on a myriad of sanitation systems to limit the spread of disease to both workers as well as the food product. Many people are sensitive to specific foods or other substances; while switching between allergen-free and normal food items, factories must keep up with the best standards of hygiene. The production lines of every facility cannot be cleaned. However, many facilities resort to powerful vacuum systems equipped with multi-stage filtrations as well as downstream exhaust filters to ensure that allergens and contaminants remain within the vacuum system.

Alert to fire

The majority of the materials employed in food production are extremely organic, dry, and fine. The ignition source could be used to ignite these materials quickly, and the codes used to regulate the equipment in these facilities are extremely clear and include specific guidelines for various industries like chocolate and cocoa cereals sugar, grain mills baked products, and a host of others in which there is the possibility of sparks from fine dust. These fire protection systems for these sectors rely on an array of spark detection that include IR-radiation as well as rapid suppression of flames like water sprays or mist extinguishers.

The process of housekeeping at the facility relies on an approach that is multi-layered and includes methods, equipment, and procedures and employees who are trained to follow the rules and adhere to the authorities. These actions not only display your sincere care for the well-being and well-being of your employees but also protect your image and the credibility of your clients.