FLUID HANDLING
FOOD FACTORY HAZARDS
SEEPEX
SAFETY FIRST – 6 FOOD FACTORY HAZARDS THAT CAN
BE REDUCED WITH PC PUMPS
As an alternative to traditional manual
labour, progressive cavity (PC) pumps can
automate some of the key processes on food
manufacturing sites. Here, Lesley Eaton,
Marketing Executive for PC pump specialist
SEEPEX UK, explains how this is helping to de-
risk six of the main food factory hazards…
1.
Slips and trips
Pumping liquids and pastes significantly cuts
the risk of spillage, reducing the likelihood
of a slip. Thanks to their gentle, low shear
handling action, PC pumps are also able to
transfer viscous products or those containing
large soft solids efficiently without damaging
them; further decreasing the chance of the
factory floor becoming a slip hazard.
2. Conveyors
By switching to a PC pump, food producers
can also transfer solid foodstuffs, such as
whole chicken breasts.
By automating the handling of such products
and eliminating the need for conveyors, the
risk of operator injury is significantly reduced.
3.
Manual handling
Manual waste handling is particularly suitable
for automation, reducing the number of
people required to handle foodstuffs.
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PECM Issue 41
SEEPEX has delivered automated, fully
enclosed, piped waste removal systems
to a number of food manufacturing sites,
including Natures Way Foods.
4.
Workplace transport
Enclosed, piped waste removal systems
such as that mentioned above eliminate the
need for fork lift trucks entering the food
production site. Instead, waste can be piped
directly out of the factory and straight into
a collection vehicle, away from high traffic
areas.
5.
Corrosive and abrasive materials
Using a PC dosing pump to automate the
dosing of ingredients reduces the risk of
exposing irritants to the skin. Cleaning
chemicals can also irritate and even cause
respiratory problems. Many PC pumps –
such as SEEPEX’s latest hygienic pump, the
BCFH – now come with cleaning in place as
standard, meeting the exacting requirements
of the food industry without compromising
employee safety.
6. Noise
Such is the noise impact created by air-
operated diaphragm pumps – exacerbated
by the fact that they are often left to run
continuously – that manufacturers supply
them with sound screening.
By contrast, PC pumps – which only run when
needed – emit considerably fewer decibels.
Requiring no sound screening, they pose a
lower risk to employees’ hearing.
The cost of doing nothing
While replacing manual labour with
intelligent PC pumps and automated waste
removal systems will increase operational
efficiency and reduce costs, it is also clear that
it brings significant safety benefits to food
manufacturing sites.
With the average fine in the 10-month
period following the introduction of the new
sentencing guideline increasing from £40,500
to £221,700, can any food business afford to
not make the switch?
www.seepex.com