Sanitation Tips Avoiding hazards The US Dept. of Labor's Occupational Health and Safety -Train employees about the location and use of the control cir- Administration (OSHA) has developed a wide variety of cuit devices guidelines to help employees stay safe while performing -Implement equipment energy control (lockout/tagout) proce- various jobs including those in poultry processing facilities. dures for all other cleaning jobs Some of the safety and health hazards that sanitation workers are exposed to throughout the plant include: Falls from ladders or equipment Employees climb on ladders or equipment to adequately Cuts, lacerations and amputations reach all surfaces for cleaning. As sanitation workers remove blades from slicers or other POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: bladed equipment, they could easily receive cuts or lac- -Make sure platforms or portable ladders are the appropriate erations. Any cut not treated at once could likely become size and height for the job and in good condition infected as a result of working with poultry. -Prohibit climbing on equipment POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: -Implement equipment lockout/tagout procedures Tripping over drain covers -Provide cut-resistant gloves to workers Sanitation employees can trip over drain covers that have -Clean and disinfect all cuts immediately been removed during cleaning. POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Being struck by, struck against or caught in equipment -Replace drain covers as soon as the area is cleaned Sanitation workers cleaning powered equipment can get Electric shock caught in the equipment if the motor is left on. Employees may experience electrical shock from water POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Use the following effective pro- contacting electrical connections or switch boxes or from tection for cleaning jobs that are routinely performed. improper reassembly of electric connections after disas- -Implement energy-control (lockout/tagout) procedures sembly for cleaning. -Proper use of interlocked barrier guards/gates POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: -Use of properly designed control switches or buttons that are -Lockout and tag the electric circuit when it is possible to do so placed in the open/off safe positions when the devices are un- -Use and maintain proper wiring and grounding der the exclusive control of the employee performing the task -Keep all electrical boxes covered -Use equipment approved for wet locations Chemical hazards Sanitation workers use chemicals as cleaners that can cause skin or eye irritation or burns. Possible solutions: -Train employees on the hazards of the cleaners that they use -Provide gloves, protective eyewear and other protective equipment to prevent skin and eye contact -Evaluate new application and chemical delivery systems prior to use so hazards and appropriate protective equipment can be identified ■ This list is to be used only as a guideline. Address specific questions to your supervisor. 66 * Meat&Poultry * December 2013 * www.MeatPoultry.comhttp://www.MeatPoultry.com