Full Description
Food manufacturing can produce a number of hazards in the working environment and implementing adequate engineering controls, such as food dust extraction systems, can sometimes be at the back of a business owner's mind.
The Health & Safety Executive based their guidance on bakeries, flour and flour dust to stipulate the core principles of dust in food manufacturing. Flour dust is finely ground particles of cereal or pulses (including contaminants) resulting from any grinding process, subsequent handling and use. Any additives (eg flour improvers) are included after they have been added to the final product. WELs should be reduced as low as practically possible.
"Breathing in flour dust can cause asthma"
HSE's FL0: COSSH Essential Guidance for Managers for Production and Use of Flour
We Have The Solution
Auto Extract Systems are accustomed to helping all kinds of food manufacturing businesses provide pollution-free workplaces with food dust extraction products.
What Do The HSE Recommend?
On the HSE's Baker - common causes of asthma webpage, the HSE recommends that businesses work carefully to avoid raising clouds of dust and to use bakery dust extraction equipment for dusty tasks. Whilst in HSE's INDG429 - Bakers: Time to Clear the Air guidance, it states that food dust extraction equipment should be working and switched on prior to any dusty task being stated.
Health Risks
Occupational asthma is a common theme in the HSE's advice for food manufacturing businesses. Click the following links to find HSE’s ‘G402: Health Surveillance for Occupation Asthma’, and; ‘G403: Health Surveillance for Occupational Dermatitis’ guidance.
In the HSE's baker case study, school cook and flour dust, a school cook developed breathing problems after working with flour in the school kitchen, which was in a small room with poor ventilation and no bakery dust extraction solution. Her breathing problems became so severe that she could hardly walk and she had to sleep sitting up. After an investigation, the courts eventually awarded her £200,000 in damages.
The Food Contaminants to Consider
When working in food & drink manufacturing, there are several types of contaminants to be aware of. Whether involved in a food production line or the packaging process, fume and dust health risks can appear. Here are some of the types of food that may be considered a risk due to the particles that they contain:
- Dried Milk
- Flours
- Sugar
- Spices
- Powdered Food
- Instant Coffee
- Corn Starch
- Cereals
- Animal Feeds
Food Dust Extraction Solutions For...
We are experienced in providing a wide range of food dust extraction solutions to all kinds of businesses. Our team has helped with everything from small and medium-sized businesses like bakeries to large multi-national corporations.
- Food manufacturing
- Food and drink packaging
- Bakery and cake shops
- Education providers
- Drink manufacturing
Case Studies
To find out more about the latest LEV installations we've been working on, including bakery dust extraction, check out our Case Studies section.
