How to Prevent Cross-Contamination with the Right Workwear

Loose buttons, stray hairs, frayed material, or dirty clothes.

These are just a few ways that pathogens, allergens, physical contaminants, and chemicals can make their way into food during production.

Without the right workwear and food manufacturing PPE, products can quickly become contaminated, potentially compromising consumer safety.

Here, we’ll look at how to reduce cross-contamination risks in the food industry with the right workwear.

The Role of Workwear in Avoiding Cross-Contamination of Food

If it’s not properly managed, clothing can be a big source of cross-contamination in the food industry.

After all, it can carry pathogens, allergens, physical contaminants, and chemicals, which could all be transferred to food without the right preventative measures in place.

That’s why workwear must be a key focus when attempting to reduce cross-contamination risks in the food industry.

Workwear can act as a physical barrier between personal clothing and food, helping to reduce contamination risks.

Strict protocols for choosing, maintaining, laundering, and storing workwear can help reduce risks further and help keep workers and consumers safe.

What Workwear Do I Need to Avoid Cross-Contamination?

The workwear you need to reduce the risk of cross-contamination will depend on your workplace, job roles, and risk levels.

That’s why it’s essential to carry out a risk assessment and develop a HACCP-based food safety management system. This should include policies and procedures around workwear.

Workwear and PPE commonly used in food processing environments include:

• Gloves
• Aprons
• Face shields
• Safety goggles
• Safety footwear
• Earplugs or ear defenders
• Face masks or respirators
• Hairnets and beard covers

How to Choose the Right Workwear

So, how do you choose the right workwear to help reduce contamination risks in your workplace?

Here are some key factors and considerations.

COMPLIANCE

First of all, make sure that any workwear you get meets relevant safety standards and regulations.

Relevant standards and food safety schemes to consider include:

• BRCGS FOOD – a global food safety standard for food manufacturing sites
• IFS FOOD – a standard that evaluates products and production processes in the food industry
• DIN 10524 – a standard covering the selection, use, and reprocessing of workwear in food businesses

Plus, consider your duties under relevant food hygiene and workplace health and safety legislation.

FABRIC

Look for hygienic materials that are:

• Easy to clean and maintain
• Light in colour, so you can easily spot dirt or stains
• Resistant to stains, odours and bacteria, such as poly-cotton blends or antimicrobial textiles
• Durable, as frayed or damaged workwear can harbour bacteria or lead to loose threads falling into food products

DESIGN

The design of workwear can also play a big role in reducing contamination risks.

Here are some tips and guidelines:

• Coats and jackets should cover trouser pockets
• Avoid exposed fastenings like buttons, as they could fall into food
• Minimise or avoid external pockets where required by the hygiene risk
• Any logos should be permanently attached to workwear so they don’t fall off
• Consider appropriate sleeve length based on the hygiene risk and working environment

FIT

Making sure that workwear fits the wearer properly is just as important as the design itself.

Why? Clothing that fits properly is less likely to drag on surfaces and collect dirt and bacteria.

It also makes it easier for workers to do their job properly, which can reduce the risk of accidents.

Plus, bear in mind that poorly fitting PPE can also be uncomfortable, making wearers more likely to remove it and increase contamination risks.

COLOUR-CODING

Colour-coding your workwear can make it easier to prevent cross-contamination, especially if you have different risk zones.

For example, you might assign red workwear to workers handling raw meat, and green workwear to those handling fruit and vegetables.

This makes it easier to spot potential hygiene risks, such as the same workwear being used across different zones.

PROTECTION

As well as reducing contamination risks, you’ll also need to consider what protection your workwear needs to offer to the wearer.

The food industry is full of hazards, from sharp objects to slips and falls.

This means your workwear may have to fulfil more than one role. For example, you may need food-safe gloves that are also cut-resistant or heat-resistant.

You may also need non-slip footwear that can also be easily hosed down and disinfected.

That’s why it’s important to think of the whole picture when obtaining PPE, rather than treating hygiene and physical safety hazards separately.

How to Maintain Workwear to Reduce Cross-Contamination

It’s not just about selecting the right workwear.

Properly cleaning, storing, and maintaining workwear is arguably even more important when it comes to reducing cross-contamination risks.

It’s important to:

• Inspect workwear before use to ensure it's clean and free from damage.
• Store workwear separately from outdoor clothes to prevent cross-contamination.
• Wash workwear using a suitable external laundry or a validated in-house laundry service.
• Provide clear training and communication for all workers, including contractors and casual staff.
• Remove workwear immediately after designated tasks, at the end of shifts, and before toilet breaks.
• Replace damaged workwear straight away, as damaged garments increase the risk of contamination.

Reduce Cross-Contamination Risks with our Range of Workwear

If you need workwear to reduce cross-contamination risks in your workplace, you’re in the right place.

At SMI, we stock a wide range of compliant workwear for both men and women.

This ranges from aprons and coveralls to safety footwear, hairnets, and disposable gloves for food preparation.

Plus, our service provides:

• Eco-friendly ranges
• 97% stock availability
• Max 3-hour response time
• 5PM order cut-off for next day delivery

Not sure what workwear you need? Get in touch with our team!

FAQs

When does cross-contamination occur?

Cross-contamination via workwear is especially likely to occur when it’s dirty, worn outside of food handling areas, stored improperly, or laundered inadequately.

Why is food safety and hygiene important?

Food safety and hygiene help reduce the risk of foodborne diseases and illnesses caused by harmful pathogens and toxins.

Safe and hygienic food preparation can also help businesses protect their reputation and meet relevant legal requirements.

What are 5 things you can do to prevent cross-contamination?

Aside from workwear, here are 5 things you can do to prevent cross-contamination:

1. Wash hands frequently
2. Store raw and ready-to-eat (RTE) foods separately
3. Clean counters, cutting boards, and equipment after each use
4. Use separate cutting boards and equipment for raw and RTE foods
5. Use separate cleaning materials in areas where RTE foods are stored and prepared (e.g. sponges, cloths, and mops)