< Previous20 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netFORKLIFTS & PALLET TRUCKSThe recent IMHX show was an illustration of just how muchinnovation is taking place in the forklifts and pallet truck sectors. Itshouldn’t be too much of a surprise – the increased consolidation in thesector, the continual demands by retailers and manufacturers to get theirproducts on the shelves as soon as possible and the moves towards a saferworking environment have all been drivers for change in the areas ofdistribution and materials handling.The drive towards exceptional safety in this area is best illustrated bythe huge success of the Design 4 Safety competition at IMHX. Thisshowcased the latest innovative safety design features in products andprocedures in a number of categories including industrial vehicles, goods-in goods-out and racking and storage and attracted entries from manyleading companies eager to illustrate their developments.A distinguished panel of judges considered the entries and visitors tothe show were responsible for selecting the overall ‘Professionals’ Choice’.This award went to Sentry Protection Products with its innovativeCollision Sentry forklift collision avoidance system. This helps to reduceor eliminate blind corner collisions by providing a visual warning ofapproaching traffic for forklift drivers and pedestrians. Infrared motiondetectors “see” around corners and illuminate LED warning lights whenmotion is detected on both sides of the corner. Each unit can be deployedimmediately, snapping onto pallet racks quickly using integrated magnetmounts.Innovations such as this, which can have a major impact on HACCPissues in distribution centres, are highly valuable. With warehouses nowoften making more use of the space they have, with narrower aisles andtaller shelving and racking, the potential for collisions can be very great –causing damage to the trucks and obviously injuring the staff involved.The competition highlighted a number of safety programmes that havebeen introduced to combat this, such as Toyota Material Handling’s Yearof Safety, where a host of special events and resources ensured staff wereincreasingly aware of their obligations and requirements.As well as this, Toyota Material Handling has also developed a uniqueforklift simulator in order to identify poor habits and improve drivingtechniques without moving a wheel. The simulator offers warehouseoperators the opportunity to increase awareness of operator driving andidentify areas for improvement, in order to improve safety and drive downthe costs of damage.As well as effective driving of the forklifts and other vehicles –something also highlighted in the RTITB Operator of the YearCompetition which commended the skills of particularly adept forkliftoperators – there are other safety factors that need to be borne in mind,most obviously the amount of material that is loaded on the vehicles toensure they aren’t overloaded and therefore more likely to collapse.Companies such as RDS Technology have attempted to address thisand at IMHX they exhibited their range of on-board weighing systems forForklift trucks under the Liftalert and Liftlog brands. These systems offerload monitoring and weighing functions with an internal alarm to warnwhen load threshold is approached and at the overload point. The Liftlog100+ also offers a totalising feature, making it particularly suitable forThe IMHX showillustrates just howmuch innovation istaking place in theforklifts and pallettruck sectorsThe latest materials handling equipment emphasisessecurity and sustainabilityMoving in theRIGHT DIRECTION20-21:Layout 1 19/4/13 11:19 Page 1Food & Drink International 21www.fdiforum.netapplications where multiple pallets are to becheck-weighed or loading storage systemswhere weight limits are to be adhered to. Anadditional benefit for warehouse operators isthat this built-in feature means there’s noneed for operators to travel to a floor-mounted platform scale, which can often besited in a remote part of the warehouse.Avoiding these additional trips doesn’t justsave time in the warehouse but can also helpreduce the carbon footprint of the facility –and many companies are looking towards theways in which this can be addressed. As wellas the performance of the trucks themselves,the pallets they use can also have an impactand there are new concepts in this regard.Goplasticpallets.com, for example, hasintroduced a new lightweight modularcontainer to its range. The Modular Pak is alightweight sleeve pack with threecomponents – a nestable pallet base withsecure catches, a plastic sleeve and a lid.When flat packed, the container takes upminimal space and the lid fits perfectly overthe pallet, protecting the sleeve from dirt andPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/MARCIN BALCERZAKwater and promoting long term reuse. Its lowtare weight is up to 15kg less than comparablecontainers, making high volume distribution ofgoods such as lightweight packaging for food,more economically and environmentallyefficient.The space saving of its flat-pack designwhen the pallet is empty means collection andredeployment is also made easier than withcomparable boxes. This therefore brings anumber of potential efficiencies tomanufacturers that need to deliver largequantities of their goods in the early stages ofthe supply chain.Organisations such as the UK WarehousingAssociation and Automated Material HandlingSystems Association have emphasised theimportance of innovation and improved safetyacross their industry and help promote thenew ideas of many of their members. Withthird party logistics now particularly commonin the food and drink sector, it’s vital thathigh standard are met – especially if 3PLproviders wish to be well-placed to pick uplucrative contracts.20-21:Layout 1 19/4/13 11:19 Page 2HEALTH, SAFETY & HYGIENE SPOTLIGHT22 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netWith recent health scares over the horse meatscandal, consumers and manufacturers alike allover the world are concerned about safety andhygiene. But what measures are being taken toimprove the whole picture?Earlier this year, the horse meat scandal broke at a time whenmost companies would have considered their supply chains to besafe and transparent. Contaminated meat and traces of horse DNAand even veterinary drugs used to sedate horses were found inbeef, pork and even chicken dishes. Cultures which don’t eat thismeat on a regular basis were rightly shocked, but even those thatdo should not have to endure such compromises in quality. Perhaps training is an issue that needs to be addressed, andrecent news of an international training lab for food safety openingis welcome, particularly in the present climate. A major newinternational food safety training facility, aimed at improvingcompliance with EU food import standards, has been opened bythe Food and Environment Research Agency and analyticalequipment manufacturer Waters. A significant proportion of food safety incidents reported in theEU are due to imports, therefore ensuring the legal compliance andsafety of imported food is vital for protecting consumers. The EUand other international organisations have recognised the value ofimproving food safety testing globally, so that risks can beidentified and tackled at source. In the EU alone the value ofexports and imports of foodstuffs today exceeds £690 billion.The Fera International Food Safety Training Laboratory, basednear York, will primarily train scientists concerned with exportingfoods to Europe. Experts from Fera will lead training programs thatteach best practice methods to analysts from overseas, using state-of-the art technology and equipment for determining chemicalcontaminants and residues in food. This will enable food producingcountries around the world to implement their own solutions andgain access to the opportunities offered by trade with Europe.The new venture combines the respective regulatory andscientific expertise of both organisations. The Fera IFSTL draws on25 A significantproportion of food safety incidentsreported in the EU are due to imports,therefore ensuring the legal complianceand safety of imported food is vital forprotecting consumers.Maintainingstandards22-29:Layout 1 22/4/13 08:23 Page 1Food & Drink International 23www.fdiforum.netPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/MARCIN BALCERZAKSpray nozzle technology, Sanitisation and Cleaning in Place equipmentTel : +44 (0) 1244 371167 www.icsindustrialservices.co.uk22-29:Layout 1 22/4/13 08:23 Page 2BrewingFood+DairyBottled WaterPHONE: +44 (0) 1753 515 300 EMAIL: sales@hanovia.com VISIT: www.hanovia.com Scan For a PureLineinfo packMAINTAIN TASTE WITH COMPLETE UV DISINFECTION FROM THE WATER TO THE BOTTLEthe power in UV technologyPureLine PQWHETHER IT’S PRODUCTION OF BOTTLE WATER, SOFT DRINKS OR BEER, HANOVIA’S, PURELINE PQ VALIDATED SYSTEMS WILL DELIVER ON QUALITY:> Performance qualified (PQ) - 3rd party validated> non-chemical disinfection> Maintains your product quality> Fermentation efficiency and stability> Meets industry stringent standards> Hygienic design> 316L stainless steel components> Easy serviceability with global aftersales supportTHE HANOVIA PURELINE UV RANGE CAN BE USED FOR THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS...ttleddledBottled Soft DrinksSOURCE RECEIVING & INSPECTIONACTIVATED CARBON FILTRATION(MUNICIPAL WATER ONLY)PRETREATMENTDEMINERALISATIONPROCESSWATER STORAGE & MONITORINGREMINERALISATION PROCESS(MINERALISED WATER ONLY)ULTRAVIOLET LIGHTDISINFECTIONOZONEDISINFECTIONBOTTLING CONTROLPACKAGING CONTROLMICRO-FILTRATIONHANOVIAUVCARBON FILTRATIONCORPORATE QUALITY ASSURANCEPLANT QUALITY CONTROL & HACCPCLEAN-IN-PLACE LINE SANITATION PROCESSQUALITYCONTROL22-29:Layout 1 22/4/13 08:23 Page 3Call 0161 483 1232 to speak to our teamfood and drink innovationCampden BRIMADE IN THE UKHygienic surfaces for food & drink environmentsFoodsafeImprovedhygieneSeamlesssurfaceCampden BRIapprovedFood & Drink International 25www.fdiforum.netHEALTH, SAFETY & HYGIENE SPOTLIGHTFera’s extensive expertise asworld leaders in theapplication of analyticalchemistry to foodsafety testing and asthe UK NationalReference Laboratoryfor chemicalcontaminants infood, pesticideresidues and veterinarydrug residues, somethingwhich has taken onincreased scrutiny in the wakeof recent events. Testing timesThe responsibility for tests like the ones that will be carriedout at the new Fera lab are not only the duty of labs vettingfood and drink for export, but also companies within theirown operations. Thankfully, there are measures mostmanufacturers can take to ensure that their production linesand supply chain links are all as hygienic and safe as possible.The installation of easily-cleaned and non-bacteria harbouringsurfaces and floors is a good step. The use of stainless steel forpreparation areas and non-absorbent flooring is essential.After all, the less recesses a surface has, the less chance ofoutbreaks of food-borne disease. Last year’s e-coli outbreak inGermany for example could have been better handled andputting in numerous barriers is perhaps the best approach. Theinstallation ofeasily-cleaned andnon-bacteriaharbouring surfacesand floors is agood step.27 PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PICSFIVE22-29:Layout 1 22/4/13 08:24 Page 426 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netSafety & Health Expo is part of the Protection & Management week uniting business professionals across security ȴ re facilities anG safety PROTECTION & MANAGEMENT WeekThe market-leading annual exhibitionfor the health and safety industry14-16 MAY 2013 NEC BIRMINGHAMDedicated to sourcing innovations from across the sector and delivering the highest-quality educational content, Safety & Health Expo will help you spearhead the highest standards of health and safety within your workplace.Surround yourself in health & safety REGISTERFOR FREEENTRYTODAYSupported byOrganised bywww.safety-health-expo.co.uk/fdiSponsored by22-29:Layout 1 22/4/13 08:24 Page 5HygroPalm23 AW sets 2/42/.)# (YGRO0ALM!W MEASURES WATER ACTIVITY IN FOOD PHARMACEUTICAL AND OTHER PRODUCTS QUICKLY AND ACCURATELYs 7IDE VARIETY OF PROBES FOR DIFFERENT BULK PRODUCTS AND OTHER APPLICATIONSs !W1UICK FUNCTION ACCURATE WATER ACTIVITY VALUES AVAILABLE WITHIN MINUTESs %ASYTOUSE AND MAINTAIN SENSOR CALIBRATION BY USERSWater activity measurement2/42/.)# )NSTRUMENTS 5+ ,TD #ROMPTON &IELDS #ROMPTON 7AY #RAWLEY 7EST 3USSEX 2( %%4 & % INSTRUMENTS ROTRONICCOUK6ISIT WWWROTRONICCOUK FOR MORE INFORMATION OR CALL Food & Drink International 27www.fdiforum.netHEALTH, SAFETY & HYGIENE SPOTLIGHTThe increased reliability of testing equipmentfor bespoke situations is also improving,thermometers that can be used in a more hygienicway with meat for example means less chance ofgerms and bacteria being carried from sample tosample being cut massively by use of innovativedesign. Specific to the horse meat scandal, kitsavailable that identify species of animal via DNAanalysis in a matter of minutes are also seeing arise in uptake. Easily used on the factory floor byuntrained operatives, the kits often take a smallsample and give accurate results, meaning spotchecks of meat supplied by numeroussources can highlight contaminationcost-effectively.As cases like this can often leadto legal action, investing on eventhis low level could meancompanies saving thousands, ifnot millions in lost revenue.Physical safetyThe importance of keepingThermometersthat can be used in amore hygienic way meansless chance of germsand bacteria beingcarried from sampleto sample28 Light curtains like this from SICKcan help keep workers safe22-29:Layout 1 22/4/13 08:24 Page 628 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netHEALTH, SAFETY & HYGIENE SPOTLIGHTMaximum food safety, maximum production output, minimal costs:Klüber Lubrication helps you achieve all these goals more easily. Our high-performance NSF H1-lubricants are 0:6 JLY[PÄLKHUKOH]LHT\S[Ptude of approvals. They are available for all branches of the food-processing industry, for all components and tricky special cases everywhere in the world in the same high quality. Our experts will provide you with support to meet your individual requirements, from consulting to optimum lubrication management, ensuring more safety of production processes and OPNOLYWYVÄ[HIPSP[`Klüber Lubrication: 80 years of experience and professional services for your success.Klüber Lubrication Great Britain Ltd.sales@uk.kluber.com / www.klueber.comCertified speciality lubricants for the best possible taste.your global specialistoperatives safe is still sadly paramount. Countlessstories of operatives being injured, maimed or evenkilled still abound and although the figures haveimproved over the last decade, due to stringentlegislation taking effect, it is still an issue thatneeds to be addressed.The amount of equipment available is sometimesdizzying, but picking the right safety equipmentbefore accidents occur should be a priority. Forthose dealing with palletising and heavy loads on aregular basis, stopping operatives and workers frombeing caught in machinery or having items ofparticular bulk fall onto them is always a concern.Measures like light curtains which have an invisibleshield around high-risk equipment will mean powerwill be cut through any process if an employeebreaks the beam of light. Use of lasers is often common with multipleheads ensuring every last inch of space is covered.Configuration of light curtains is now oftenautomatic and if you ensure the range is correct, noadditional setup is needed, meaning purchasing justa few machines can be positioned in multiplelocations and adapted as to which operations aretaking place. The level of accuracy is alwaysimpressive too, meaning as long as the correctmode is selected then workers are protected. A traceable trailThe importance of having a digital rather than apaper trail these days is incredibly important.When mistakes do happen, knowing why is half theanswer. If you have equipment in place that canmeasure varying conditions and rates of productionthen you are halfway to solving problems. When it comes to food and drink safety, beingable to track every single item and its journey, notonly through a production facility, but also inthe supply chain is essential.Products exist these days thatcan measure just aboutanything you can choose tomonitor. Air tightness onfilmed products is aparticular concern, as ismetal detection. Newproducts areincreasingly includinglogging functions asstandard and so linkingthese multipleprogrammes up is becomingmore common too. Having anetwork of equipment keeping aThe importanceof having a digital ratherthan a paper trail thesedays is incrediblyimportant. Whenmistakes do happen,knowing why is halfthe answer.22-29:Layout 1 22/4/13 08:24 Page 7Food & Drink International 29www.fdiforum.netHEALTH, SAFETY & HYGIENE SPOTLIGHTChemical protectiveclothing for the foodprocessing industryAlpha Solway leads the way in the development of suitableproducts for the food processing market. Their latestproducts include chemsol HG, chemcre8 and alphamesh.Chemsol HG chemical protective clothing is a comfortable rangeof washdown garments made from a specifically formulated fabricthat offers enhanced resistance to oil, greases and animal fats whileproviding excellent protection from a wide range of commoncleaning chemicals used in washdown applications.Combine the benefits of chemsol HG with theunique revolutionary design system chemcre8and you have the ability to control the designof your chemical clothing to create trulybespoke garments individually tailored tothe needs of your individual foodbusiness while ensuring wearercomfort and maximum safety at alltimes.The latest alphamesh range ofmasks sets a benchmark fordisposable RPE within the foodprocessing market by introducing acompletely colour coded outer mesh (WhiteFFP1, Blue FFP2, Grey FFP2 Charcoal andOrange FFP3) and removing the need for metal nosebands andstaples to hold the headstraps. The range also uses a preformednosebridge and a continuous loop adjustable headstrap.There are two options available within the alphamesh range – thealphamesh 8000 Series is a cup-shape design and the patentedalphamesh A-Series is the first metal free fold-flat design. Allalphamesh masks consistently out-perform other disposable RPEwhen Face Fit Testing.For further details or to put theseproducts to the test, visitwww.alphasolway.comMonitoring products, particularly if it is fresh, isintegral to maintaining safety and profit marginsPHOTO: JENTON INTERNATIONAL/ALAN HUNTER PHOTOGRAPHYclose eye on your whole operation not only improves yieldsand profits, but safety too. If a court case does transpire,then having backup information to show operatives werenot in danger could be a game changer. The horse meat scandal has uncovered a dark underbellyin the food and drink industry. In order to allay the public’sfear of food and drink safety, companies must take as manymeasures as possible. More transparency seems to be theanswer as well as stigmatising those responsible forintroducing troublesome elements into what is for the mostpart an honest and responsible industry. Integrity is the key,and the future of food production depends on it.PPE22-29:Layout 1 22/4/13 08:24 Page 8Next >