Handling Food Safely

Handling food safely for consumer use is not only a moral obligation – it is a legal one! Each year thousands of people get seriously ill due to food poisoning. Some of these people may die. Those most at risk include the very young, the elderly, people who are already ill and pregnant women.

The spread of food poisoning bacteria can be prevented by good food handling practices and by maintaining good personal hygiene.

Handling Food Safely Examples

These are some of the examples of handling food safely:

Never allow raw food to come into contact with cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
Store raw foods separately from cooked and ready-to-eat foods.
Alternatively, store raw food on the bottom shelf in the fridge and store cooked and ready-to-eat food on the top shelves.
Keep food covered or store it in sealed food containers.
Wash your hands between handling raw and cooked and/or ready-to-eat foods.
Use separate work areas, utensils and equipment for preparing raw and cooked/ ready-to-eat foods. If this is not possible, clean and disinfect utensils and work surfaces carefully between these tasks.
Ensure that your service cloth is kept clean and is replaced frequently.

Examples of Good Personal Hygiene

Good personal hygiene is one of the most important principles of handling food safely. These are some of the examples of good personal hygiene:

Wash hands regularly!
Did we mention Wash Your Hands regularly!
Wash your hands thoroughly using hot water and liquid soap:

- Before starting work.
- Before handling cooked and/or ready-to-eat food.
- Before using disposable gloves.
- After handling raw food.
- After using the toilet.
- After handling rubbish.
- After smoking.
- After touching your hair or face, sneezing, coughing and using a handkerchief.
- After performing routine cleaning tasks.

You can watch Hand Washing in the Hospitality video HERE.

General Handling Food Safely Advice

The following is general advice on handling food safely:

Be clean and tidy

Be clean and tidy and wear clean protective clothing such as an apron or overall when handling or serving food.
Keep hair clean and covered under a cap or hairnet. Long hair must be tied up.
Keep nails clean and short.
Don’t wear strong perfume, nail varnish or excessive make-up.
Restrict your jewellery to a plain wedding band and small earrings.

Treat food with care

Do not handle food unnecessarily.
- use tongs where possible.
Do not pick your nose, lick your fingers, taste food with your fingers, eat, chew gum, cough or sneeze near food that you are preparing or serving.
Cover cuts and sores with a blue waterproof dressing.
Inform your immediate supervisor if you have diarrhoea or an upset stomach. If you are ill you should not prepare or handle food but may perform alternative duties until the illness has passed.

Food Safety Training

It is a legal requirement that staff who are involved in a food environment are trained and/or supervised commensurate with their work activity.

For this reason and to learn more about food poisoning and how to prevent it, the eLearn Safety has developed fully online food safety courses. These courses are designed to introduce participants to food safety and hygiene issues. In addition, all courses are based on the training criteria set down by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s Guide to Food Safety Training at appropriate level.

Afterwards, on completion of any of our food safety training courses, participants will be able to understand their requirements under Irish food safety legislation as well as following best work practices at appropriate level.

Likewise, you can find further useful information on how you can stop the spread of food poisoning bacteria and other food safety relevant information on the FSAI website.

Consequences of Poor Food Handling

According to the BBC some 113 people have become ill with E. coli in recent weeks in the UK. Experts believe it is most likely linked to a nationally distributed food item. According to the UKHSA the location of reported cases is as follows:

81 in England.
18 in Wales.
13 in Scotland.
1 in Northern Ireland (for this case, evidence suggests that they acquired their infection while visiting England).

At the same time, in Ireland the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that nine Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses during the month of May for breaches of food safety legislation.

Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in May include: evidence of rodent infestation, including dead rodents in multiple areas, including under a fridge and under shelves on the shop floor; raw fish defrosting at room temperature in a dirty container on the floor of the kitchen area; accumulation of dirt, cobwebs and dead insects on floors; inadequate cleaning and a build-up of waste stored in a room next to toilets with foul odour and flies present; no hot water, soap or paper towels available at the wash hand basin in the staff toilet; absence of an adequate food safety culture particularly regarding training of staff.

Online Food Safety Training

Please remember – it is a legal requirement that staff who are involved in a food environment are trained and/or supervised commensurate with their work activity!

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Food Safety (HACCP) courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

eLearn Online Health and Safety Training

Workplace Transport and Vehicles

Almost all businesses use some form of workplace transport and vehicles. There are many examples. A busy factory site with lorries being loaded for despatch. Forklift trucks whizzing around the site. Staff arriving for work in cars. Visitors and staff walking around the site and delivery vehicles reversing into dock loading bays.

Without controls aimed at workplace transport and vehicles, there is a high likelihood of an accident occurring. Unfortunately, almost every year a number of people are killed in vehicle accidents at the workplace.

Risk Assessment – Workplace Transport and Vehicles

A risk assessment must be carried out to identify the hazards and implement controls to minimise the risk. Such controls may include:

Clearly marking segregated traffic routes separating pedestrians from vehicles. This would be ideally done with physical barriers.
Making sure route ways are sufficiently wide for the vehicle, for example aisles between warehouse racking should be wide enough for a forklift truck to move easily and manoeuvre with loads.
Avoidance of obstructions in traffic routes by enforcing good housekeeping.
Sufficient lighting, both externally and internally, to enable drivers to identify obstructions, other vehicles and pedestrians.
Keeping traffic routes in good repair so uneven surfaces, holes, etc. do not cause vehicle damage or accidents.
Speed limits that are displayed and enforced as well as signage to alert drivers to other hazards such as low headroom, or overhead cables.
Designing traffic routes to avoid blind bends and where visibility is restricted, mirrors or implementing one-way systems should be considered.

Common Causes of Accidents

When we talk about workplace transport and vehicles, one of the most common vehicles used in the workplace is a forklift truck. They account for many of all workplace transport accidents.

Common causes of accidents are:

Driving too fast.
Unbalanced loads.
Horseplay.
Reversing.

Reversing of workplace transport and vehicles is a frequent cause of accidents. Consideration should be given to ensure adequate space for reversing vehicles and restricting access to the reversing area. This area should be clearly marked and signed.

Visiting drivers should be made aware of the site layout and transport routes. It may be necessary to provide instructions in other languages for foreign drivers and allow for the fact they may have different visibility from left hand drive vehicles.

Maintaining Safe Workplace and Transport Vehicles

There are many different types of workplace and transport vehicles that can be used. A proper selection will depend on the task to be performed. It is very important that the correct vehicle is selected for the appropriate task and that the vehicle is safe to use. As well as regular routine maintenance, there are some basic pre-use checks drivers should make. These include:

Horn.
Lights.
Brakes.
Tyres.
Oil Spillages.
Seat and Seat Belt.
Any Obvious Signs of Vehicle Damage.

Whichever vehicle is being driven, the driver must be trained and competent. Safe system of work should be in place to make sure unauthorised staff cannot operate vehicles and there are sufficient work breaks to stop drivers becoming overtired.

Safety Management Resources for workplace and Transport Vehicles

The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland provides a comprehensive key transport safety management resources available on their website page titled Vehicles at Work. The resources are a convenient and easy to use information portal. In addition, the HSA has published a convenient Information Sheet that provides basic guidance on the management of vehicles and mobile work equipment in the workplace.

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

True Cost of Poor Workplace Safety

True cost of poor workplace safety can be significant and very harmful to everyone interacting with the business with poorly managed Health and Safety. It can be a reason for significant business costs. More importantly, it can have distressing human costs.

Implementing and managing Health and Safety procedures in the workplace is not an optional addon to regular business activity. It is a legal requirement. It is also a moral and ethical obligation. Excuses, such as ‘health and safety is not necessary in our case’, ‘it’s just bureaucracy and unnecessary paperwork’ and ‘we don’t need it – we know what we are doing’ are not acceptable. All workplaces should strive to achieve a workplace which is a safe workplace as much as it is feasible. All work related injuries should be brought as close to zero as possible.

It is sometimes that employees themselves approach Health and Safety procedures lightly. Even if warned about dangers, they might abandon correct Health and Safety procedures to ‘speed up’ or avoid doing ‘extra work’. This is often guided by the misconception that they will be able ‘to see’ if anything dangerous starts developing and adjust themselves to avoid disaster’ – which is almost never true. In fact, danger started to develop the moment Health and Safety policies were ignored.

The Ultimate Price of Poor Workplace Safety

There is no such a thing as ‘light’ work-related injury. All injuries can take a heavy toll to everyone involved. Unfortunately, some injuries could be fatal. Sadly, this is the ultimate true cost of poor workplace safety.

In 2022 there were 26 workplace related fatalities in Ireland. 26 people left their home, their families never to return home. You can read more about Workplace Fatalities from 2017 to 2022 in our blog entry from 30th June 2023 Health and Safety in the Workplace.

Workplace accidents and their prevention are key priorities of anyone at work. This is not only true for employers but employees as well. You can read more about Workplace Accidents and Their Prevention in our blog entry Health and Safety in the Workplace from 21st April 2023.

From the PRESS

The following contains few of countless examples that demonstrate true cost of poor workplace safety:

Man, 20s, dies in Carlow road tragedy after reportedly falling from truck

A man in his 20s has died following a road traffic accident in Carlow when he reportedly fell from a truck.

The tragic incident took place in the College Green area of Carlow town on 16th August 2023 at 1:30pm on Wednesday afternoon.

Gardaí are investigating the circumstances of the man’s death to determine the exact cause.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána told The Irish Mirror: “It’s reported that a male in his 20s received fatal injuries after falling from a truck during the course of his work.

Taken from The Independent.

Male worker, 26, dies after suffering ‘severe head injuries’ in ‘heavy machinery incident’ at construction site of Everton’s new stadium – the football club says everyone is ‘heartbroken’ by the death as investigation is launched (UK)

A 26-year-old construction worker has died after suffering ‘severe head injuries’ in an incident at site of Everton’s new stadium.

First responders were called to the site at Bramley Moore Dock around 12.32pm on 14th August 2023 following a ‘major incident’ that allegedly involved heavy machinery.

The worker was rushed to hospital but despite medics’ best efforts, he died.

Construction company Laing O’Rourke confirmed to MailOnline the man was carrying out work at the time of his death as Everton FC described the news as ‘heartbreaking’.

Investigators with Merseyside Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) remain at the scene as they ‘continue with the early stages of the investigation’.

Workers from the site at Bramley Moore Dock said they were informed of the incident and then asked to leave the area, but couldn’t share more details, The Liverpool Echo reported.

Local reports indicate the incident involved heavy machinery and the 26-year-old suffered head injuries.

Taken from The Guardian.

Farm Safety Week 2020 – Elizabeth’s story

Elizabeth Ormiston, a beef farmer from Co. Cavan suffered a farm accident in 2009 that resulted in her being placed in an induced coma. This is her story.

Farm Safety Week 2020 – Elizabeth’s story (YouTube Link). Run time 2m 19s.

Managing Health and Safety in the Workplace

The role of the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) has an important role as they ensure that over 2 million workers (employed and self-employed) and those affected by work activity are protected from work related injury and ill-health. The Health and Safety Authority strategic priorities are to:

Regulate: Increase focus on compliance through risk based inspection and enforcement.
Promote: Support, educate and raise awareness to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health.
Accredit: Grow the national accreditation service to enable and support enterprises and public services.
Influence: Partner and collaborate in support of healthy, safe and productive lives and enterprises.

All workplaces, from one-person farms to multinationals with thousands of employees must implement Health and Safety procedures guided by legislation and best work practices.

The HSA exists to assist and support achieving a safe workplace. This support is available to employers and employees equally.

Don’t Become a Statistic!

Online Health and Safety Training

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

Pest Control

Pest Control in any food handling premises is an extremely important process. Food pests are a source of food poisoning organisms. When one talks about pests, the majority of people think of rats, mice, birds, flies, etc. Whilst they are a major food safety hazard from the Pest Control perspective, domestic pets are also a significant hazard. By being pets they are often not considered a danger. However, domestic pets should never be allowed into food handling areas. They carry bacteria in their fur, feathers, skin, saliva and intestines. Stroking or fussing cats, dogs or other pets will contaminate food handlers.

What is a Food Pest

A food pest is an organism that lives on or in human food. Pests can contaminate food with bacteria and disease, but they can also cause physical contamination from droppings, urine, fur, feathers and even dead bodies.

Importance of Pest Control

Pest problems can result in lost revenue through damaged stock, gaining a bad reputation and in some cases legal action against the business.

According to the FSAI News Article from 13th July 2023, 12 Enforcement Orders served on food businesses in June. Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in June include: a history of rodent activity with droppings found near fruit juice intended for children; open, ready-to-eat foods such as fresh lettuce suspected as having come into contact with rodents, with a likely risk of Salmonella; heavy cockroach activity in the kitchen, with dozens of live cockroaches spotted moving around food preparation areas, on the walls, floors, fridges, and inside food storage containers; a lack of adequate traceability systems and procedures for all products, undermining consumer safety; a failure to maintain the cold chain with insufficient fridge space to safely store high risk foods such as cooked rice and pasta; rodent droppings noted in the service area and near food storage; risk of cross contamination with ready-to-eat food such as smoked salmon stored next to raw food such as chicken and pork chops; and inadequate ventilation throughout the premises, evident by the large build-up of mould on the walls, ceilings and external doors.

Premises Maintenance as Part of Pest Control Process

Food premises often provide ideal conditions for pests as they provide food, warmth, shelter and water. It is therefore important to make sure premises are properly maintained to avoid pest infestation.

It should be part of any food handling business’ routine to check for signs of pest infestation. If any kind of pests activity is noticed and reported, this has to be dealt with immediately. It may be necessary to seek professional help from a pest control contractor or a local authority. It is always preferable to treat the problem by removing the pest. This avoids the possibility of it dying inside the food area and causing further contamination. Extreme care should be taken if chemical controls are to be used.

Pest Prevention

Prevention is better than cure and good housekeeping can play an important role in pest prevention. Some of the steps towards preventing pest infestation are:

Food should be always stored correctly in pest proof containers and off the floor.
Storage areas must be easy to clean and allow for easy access to check for signs of pests.
Food should never be stored outside as this attracts pests.
Rubbish areas should be kept clean and waste should be kept in bins with tight fitting lids. Untidy waste areas can attract pests by making food easily available.
Waste areas should be cleared regularly as rubbish can provide shelter, warmth, food and moisture for pests.
Ensure goods are used within the appropriate date to help prevent problems with stored product pests.
External water sources such as dripping taps or broken drain pipes can attract pests. These should be properly and regularly maintained.
Deliveries of goods should always be checked for signs of infestation. delivery should not be accepted if any signs of pests activity can be seen.
Make repairs as soon as possible to damaged drain covers, door bases or other parts of the building that will allow access to pests.
Fit insect screens on windows and doors that open directly into food preparation areas.

All pests damaged goods should be removed and destroyed.

Common Food Pests

Common food pests that can be found in almost any, rural or urban setting are:

Rats and Mice – rats live in sewers or in nests around buildings. In a year one pair of mice and their offspring can produce 2,000 babies if left undisturbed.
Flies – Land on animal faeces and rotting food, collecting bacteria on the hairs of their bodies. They may fly from food to food causing cross-contamination.
Cockroaches – They are nocturnal insects. They like warm and dirty places. Eggs take around 2 months to hatch and each egg case may carry between 10- to 30 eggs depending on the species.
Ants – May be attracted by unprotected food.
Birds – Birds carry many pathogenic bacteria and can cause significant damage.
Stored Product Pests – Weevils may be found in flour and other dry goods. They are normally quite harmless in the egg stage, and enter the food during food growth.

Food premises can be (and have been as mentioned above) closed down as a direct result of pest infestation. Pest problems should never be ignored!

Online Food Safety Training

Please remember – it is a legal requirement that staff who are involved in a food environment are trained and/or supervised commensurate with their work activity!

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Food Safety (HACCP) courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie