Food Canners Ltd

General Safety Precautions

1. Purpose

The purpose of this document is to explain the meaning of safety signs and symbols at Food Canners Ltd and the general
safety precautions to follow while working on the premises.

2. Scope

This document covers the different safety signs and symbols and safety precautions to follow while working on the
premises.

3. Responsibility

 Department heads
 Maintenance technicians
 Machine operators

4. Warning

Read and understand the following safety precautions before using any machine. Failure to do so may result in serious
injuries or even death. If there is any doubt about any of the instructions, ask the maintenance supervisor for assistance.

5. General Notes

 Any problem on machine identified during inspection and/or operation should be reported to the line supervisor.
 The machine should only be used for the purpose for which it has been designed and manufactured.
 The machine should only be used with safety doors/covers closed and secured.
 All surrounding floors and outside of machine should be cleaned up after maintenance work.
 Electrical components should be protected against water during cleaning.
 After completion of maintenance work, no tools/materials should be left on or inside any part of the machine or
lying on the surrounding area.
 The electrical cabinet or control panel should not be opened and electrical components should not be touched
while voltage is applied.

6. Machine Interventions

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Before a technician carries out any intervention on a machine,

 The machine should be isolated from the main electrical power supply either by disconnecting the machine from
the electrical supply or by switching off the main switch supplying the machine/section on the distribution panel.
 A label should be attached to the machine/distribution panel, carrying a warning such as ‘MAINTENANCE IN
PROGRESS’ or ‘OUT OF SERVICE’. Note: Do not switch on electrical power or attempt to start the machine if a
warning label is attached.
 It should be ensured/verified that the machine is completely isolated from the power supply.

7. Personnel Requirements and Personal Protection

Only competent machine operators, who have received adequate training and/or qualification, should operate the
machine.

Personnel should not have long hair hanging loose, nor wear loose clothing or jewellery, including rings as these may
cause injury due to entanglement with machine.

Personnel should wear the appropriate personal protective equipment if and when required.

8. Safety Devices

Safety devices include protective devices, emergency stop, safeguards, warning lights, audible alarms and so on. These
are designed to ensure safe use of machines.

Never remove or tamper with safety devices.

9. Hazardous Situations

a) Hazardous Voltage
 Will shock, burn or cause death.
 Electrical components may become live due to presence of unisolated live wire in distribution panel/electrical
cabinet.
 Electrical components may retain residual voltage after switching off machine.

b) Hazardous Substances

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 Hazardous substances may include chemical substances such as acids, alkalis, solvents which may cause illness,
serious injury or eventually death if used without proper protective equipment.
 These chemicals cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose and throat. They can also be highly
corrosive/toxic/carcinogenic.
 Avoid splashes and use suitable protective equipment.
 Do not breathe mist.
 Take note of hand wash stations in case of contact with chemicals.
 Follow instructions in the safety data sheet when handling chemicals.
 Ensure chemical containers are disposed of properly and securely.

c) Hazardous Zones
 May cause serious or fatal injuries.
 Hazardous zones may include zones such as slippery floor, rotating parts of machine without safety guards,
electrical machine without protective device (e.g. circuit breakers, RCD, etc.), corners and sharp edges of machine.

d) Hot Surfaces
 Hot surfaces can cause severe burns.
 Parts of the equipment protected by guards may be hot after operation.
 Damaged mechanical parts under friction or uncontrolled chemical reaction due to spills/during operation can
generate large amount of heat and cause hot surfaces.
 Electrical components such as heating elements may be extremely hot.
 Pipes, valves and other parts containing hot steam/water/other substance can be extremely hot. Do not touch hot
surfaces. Isolate and drain section under maintenance prior to intervention.
 Allow components to cool down and/or use personal protective equipment for any maintenance on equipment.

e) Hazardous Noise
 May cause impaired hearing.
 In the case of hazardous noise (greater than 85 dBA), hearing protection is recommended whenever equipment is in
operation.

f) Water under Pressure or Compressed Air Pressure

 Can cause serious injuries.
 Isolate and drain section under maintenance prior to intervention.

10. Safety Signs and Symbols

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Safety signs and symbols are used to alert about potential personal injury hazards. It consists of a safety alert symbol
and may also contain words. The table below shows some of the safety signs and symbols used at Food Canners Ltd.

Safety Signs/Symbols Description

Danger indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in
death or serious injury. Some examples may include:
 Hazardous Voltage
Warning indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury. Some examples may include:
 Risk of Entanglement
 Hazardous Zones
 Hazardous Substances
 Hot Surfaces
 Water under Pressure
 Compressed Air Pressure
Caution indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in
minor or moderate injury. It may also be used to alert against unsafe practices. Some
examples may include:
or  Hazardous Noise
 Hot Surfaces
 Water under Pressure

Hazardous voltage.
Will shock, burn, or cause death.
Isolate machine before maintenance.

Keep hands clear.

Risk of hand cut or crush.

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Presence of high voltage.
380 Volts AC.
Isolate machine before maintenance.

To prevent serious injury.

Read manual first before operating machine.

Caution or warning or danger.

Hot surface.
Do not touch.
Isolate machine before maintenance.

Hot surface.
Keep water away.

Hazardous voltage.
Keep away.

Lock out electric power.

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 Read & understand operating procedure before using the machine.
Failure to follow operating procedure could result in death or serious injury.

11. Safety Precautions and Good Working Practices

 Be sure you know how to perform the job and perform it safely.
 Be sure you know its hazards and how to protect yourself.
 Report all near misses, incidents, injuries and illnesses immediately.
 Always work clear of suspended loads.
 Do not become complacent. Always keep your mind and eyes on the task at hand.
 Always know the emergency action plan for your jobsite. Know what the warning tones are and where to go.
 Obey all warning signs and barricades.
 Inspect all equipment, scaffolds, ladders, lifts, etc. before using them.
 Report any unsafe tools, equipment or hazardous conditions to your supervisor.
 See that good housekeeping is maintained in your work area.
 Operate vehicles in a safe manner and obey site driving rules.
 Do not perform work under unsafe conditions.
 Fooling around, jokes and pranks of any kind are not allowed. Responsible behaviour should be exhibited.
 Only authorised personnel shall repair company furnished tools or equipment.
 Always keep a positive attitude. This will make the day go better and make you more productive.
 Do not use ladders as scaffolds and never climb so high that it is impossible to hold the top step for support.
 Do not use a step ladder as a straight ladder.

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 Do not put yourself and your supervisor on the spot by not observing safety rules and regulations.

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