Food Manufacturing

Food manufacturing transforms raw materials (livestock and agricultural products) into products for consumption. These items are then sold to wholesalers and retailers for distribution to consumers. 

Food Manufacturing

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What are the hazards associated with the food manufacturing industry?

The hazards associated with the food manufacturing  industry generally include ergonomic-related injuries, amputations, combustible dust explosions, use of hazardous chemicals, biological agents, equipment struck by hazards, slip, trips and falls, and noise exposures. 

Is there a special emphasis program associated with this topic?

Food manufacturing falls within the OSH Division food manufacturing special emphasis program.

What can I do to protect myself?

Employees should always examine any walking or working surface for the presence of slippery conditions, non-intact surfaces, or unguarded openings or open sides before stepping onto it. Workers working from elevated platforms should be sure to wear and properly use any required fall arrest or position restraint systems. Any fall arrest or position restraint devices worn by employees must be examined for defects prior to using it.

Never reach into the pinch points of a moving belt, chain or gears to retrieve an item. Be sure to follow lockout/tagout procedures when it becomes necessary to clear a jam or to remove machine guards to perform repair or maintenance. Be sure not to wear loose clothing when working in close proximity to moving machinery parts.

Employees should examine cords used to connect equipment for signs of wear, especially missing insulation or exposed wiring. Extension cords with three-prong plugs that are missing grounding pins should be removed from service until the plug can be replaced or a replacement cord obtained. Employees using extension cords in construction-related activities or in wet locations must ensure they have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection. Report to your supervisor any electrical problems you observe while at the workplace.

Before using any chemical, information on the label and accompanying information (e.g., safety data sheets) should be consulted in order to identify any personal protective equipment necessary to prevent direct contact through inhalation, splash or spatter to eyes, nose or mouth, or skin contact.

Employees should try to take breaks to allow soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments) to rest throughout the day. Changing the work area or process to improve posture, reduce force or limit repetition can reduce stress on the body.  Additionally, rotating to another task that involves use of a different motion or body part can help if done correctly.

Employees should ensure that they have been informed about any chemical processes in their work area(s) and know about procedures associated with changes to these processes.

Your employer is also required to conduct a workplace hazard assessment, a part of which should include the identification of processes and materials that are capable of producing combustible dust.

Whether at work or away from work, when working with loud equipment (e.g., leaf blowers, chain saws) or hunting with firearms, be sure to wear the appropriate type of hearing protection.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Safety and Health Programs

A hazard communication program, process safety management Program, electrical safety-related work practices, heat illness prevention program, lockout/tagout program, confined space program and hearing conservation program, are available for employers to use in their workplace. They should be customized to fit the conditions and equipment used in the workplace. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.

Training and Outreach Services

The presentations on ergonomics, machinery and machine guarding, walking-working surfaces, hazard communication, electrical safety, heat stress, lockout/tagout, confined space, powered industrial trucks and noise exposure can be used to assist with employee training. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time. 

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Topics

More related information can be found on the safety and health topic pages for walking and working surfaces, ergonomics, noise, machine guarding, medical services and first aid, hazard communication, electrical safety, heat stress, amputations, special emphasis programs (North Carolina), hexavalent chromium, lockout/tagout, combustible dust, confined spaces, powered industrial trucks, medical services and first aid and process safety management.

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards for food manufacturing in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.

Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.

General Industry

General Duty Clause

Recordkeeping

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can help identify other standards that may also be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more?

Compliance Documents

Industry Guides

Technical Assistance

  • Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.