Food safety signs are essential in the workplace, offering a clear and concise guide for staff on the floor. They provide a strong visual reminder of the correct hand washing technique and other key points of hygiene that ensure businesses are complying with the relevant safety laws and producing food that is safe for public consumption.
Here are three must-have safety signs for anyone working in the food industry.
Safety sign # 1: Hand washing sign
Hand hygiene in the food industry is essential, and workplace studies have shown that the majority of people do not clean their hands thoroughly enough. This becomes an OH&S and HACCP compliance issue in your workplace, increasing the risk of cross-contamination and infection. Hand washing charts help ensure your employees comply with all health and safety standards.
Safety sign # 2: No food or drink
Foodstuffs and drinks can pose a cross-contamination hazard in food production facilities, and there is also the issue with potential odours, waste or disruptions to everyday business. These signs are an essential reminder to staff that food and drinks are prohibited in the workplace, as they pose potentially dangerous hygiene, contamination, slip and distraction risks.
Safety sign # 3: Hair protection must be worn
Hair protection signs signs carry a clear instruction that reminds staff of their responsibility to be correctly attired at all times while on the job. This is especially important in the food industry, so that germ and bacterial contamination from staff touching their hair while handling food is minimised, and to avoid stray hair from making its way into the food being produced.
Busy working environments place your staff under a lot of pressure, and the presence of clearly communicated safety signs helps remind them of their responsibilities. Safety signs are specifically designed as a visual guide to correct hygiene behaviours, and help to ensure that businesses are fully compliant with all the relevant health and safety laws.