Food manufacture - Main causes of injury
Struck by objects
Injury statistics
Being injured by a moving object (eg an item falling or a cut from a hand
knife) accounts for around 12% of injuries reported to HSE in the food and
drink industries. This is the third largest category of reported injuries
after manual handling and slips. The number of injuries from this cause
is over 1,100 per year.
A third of the injuries are caused by falling objects (eg an item
falling from a storage rack), a quarter are from hand tools
(especially hand knives) with the third highest cause being hit by
moving pallet trucks etc..
Managing the risk
Work area risk assessments should include looking at this particular risk,
especially as 'struck by' injuries are common and are likely to
occur almost anywhere.
Falling objects
- Ensure items stored above ground level (eg on storage shelving) are
stable and will not fall easily if disturbed. Store heavier items on or
near the ground and lighter items higher up.
- Give careful consideration to methods of stacking, handling and movement
of goods to prevent articles falling.
- Make sure tall self-standing objects (eg gas cylinders) or objects leaning
against walls are either stable if knocked, or secured.
Handtools
- Hand knives cause the greatest number of injuries and should be safely
stored/sheathed when not in use.
- When hand knives are in regular use, knife resistant protective clothing
should be worn as determined by the risk assessment (eg for butchering,
an apron and forearm guard/glove for the non-knife hand).
- Hand tools should be maintained in good condition so that undue force
is not required to use them.
Moving objects
- Pedestrian operated pallet trucks, racks, trolleys etc should use designated
routes away from other workers where possible. The person pushing/pulling
should have good visibility.
- Risk assessment should consider what other work area specific hazards
may be present (eg rolling barrels or kegs, hoist hooks, items ejected
from machines).
Further guidance
