Safety Knights

Well I am not sure you should equate Health & Safety with "Cost". For one, you can never ever justify the cost of PSDI guarding (Light Curtains) on a ROI basis (Return on Investment). I know that from trying to justify the cost of one set ($25,000) to corporate "bean counters!" In our corporation capital objects must show an ROI of no more that 12 months. Many many years ago, I had to make a sales pitch on buying four light curtains for a new robotic welder in a meeting with plant management and "bean counters" (Finance and Accounting types). When I mentioned the price of >$80K the first question I got from the Plant Controller was, "How can you justify the ROI on something that might prevent a major accident, but without it will not definitely allow an accident we might get lucky and never have one?"
The question threw me for a second as I did not expect it. But recovered and said, "It is all about the law compelling us to ensure out employees' safety and the risk we are willing to take. There is no formula to calculate those things! So I cannot answer your question. I am not willing to accept this level of risk, and feel there are no other practical alternatives to ensuring employee safety, which morally, ethically, and legally we must do!" I got the system.
In my opinion I understand the FDA requirements here and the OSHA requirements on PPE and who must buy it. You are running a business so i understand cost too, but the major consideration is employee safety. I would tell you to urge finding as many sources for the PPE as you can and then pick the ones that offer the best value. Enlist the aid of your Procurement people! They have lots of tricks up their sleeves.

I don't have a ton of food manufacturing experience outside of yogurt making, but I think what you're looking at is mostly hearing protection is that correct?

There are two options that cost more upfront, but if managed properly can save money in the long run. The easiest is to use cleanable, reusable PPE. The second is to implement engineering controls so that the PPE isn't required in the first place.

Hi Efren, I wanted to offer some insight here. While metal detectable PPE is more costly, it is essential to ensure a more costly occurrence does not occur (food recall.) Here are just a few tips to stretch the dollar on PPE used.

1) Choose reusable ear plugs. Plants can get loud and manufacturers offer reusable metal detectable ear plugs to reuse throughout the year rather than constantly re-purchasing boxes of disposable ear plugs. PIP offers their part number 267-HPR410D or 267-HPR400D which many distributors would be able to source.

2) Disposable glove costs can add up- get the most out of them! Choosing a disposable glove that is tough on oils, fats and greases is essential. Grippaz is an excellent option as they are up to 5 times stronger than conventional 21 CFR disposable nitrile gloves- meaning less rips, less tears, less waste and less re-purchasing of disposables. Many distributors carry Grippaz- all styles are food safe!

3) Launder your cut resistant gloves! Cut resistant gloves are expensive, if you are using cut resistant gloves for applications like protein processing look for brands like Claw Cover that can be machine washed at a water temperature of up to 131 degrees and bleach safe to ensure all bacteria is killed and reused again.

Hop this helps.