3 Reasons Why the Right Flooring is Essential in a Slaughterhouse

Booster Blog

Flooring in Slaughterhouses

Every year, threats of all kinds put food industries in vulnerable positions. Whether it be a change in regulation, or an outbreak of a resistant bacteria, taking the right precautions is absolutely vital. This is especially true in the poultry industry, where Salmonella poses a very real threat to the business as a whole, as well as the consumers. Cleaning materials and the use of high-pressure cleaners are both important in reaching strict HACCP standards, but what else can we consider to achieve a safe work and production place?

We believe that flooring should be held with critical importance in poultry slaughterhouses. To encourage you to consider it wisely, here are three reasons why the right floor is absolutely essential.

1. Food Safety

Recently, a team of agricultural researchers discovered a gene in Salmonella that is resistant to antibiotics. The gene, namely fosA7, results in a high level of resistance to fosfomycin, an antibiotic used to treat multi-resistant bacteria. Found in broiler chickens, the discovery poses a serious threat to the poultry industry at large.

The floor is the largest breeding ground for such bacteria and, thus, must be considered earnestly. It should be easy to maintain and as easy to clean. Cracks and gaps should be non-existent, as these can provide breeding grounds for the bacteria. This is most certainly possible with a seamless flooring finish. Food safety is probably the biggest concern of the entire industry, so this is a big one.

2. A Smooth Production Process

In a slaughter house, a lot of different things interact with the floor. With huge, heavy machinery and vehicles, the flooring needs to be impact resistant

Not only this, but a range of substances will come into contact with the surface. For this reason, the flooring needs to be resilient against just about anything.

Without the proper foundation, standards could be put at risk and the production process could come to an astounding halt. Of course, this is the last thing businesses want, with expenses going through the roof. With a minimalized possibility of bacteria, this risk is also made more unlikely.

3. Worker safety

In the field of meat and poultry, workers have experienced a decline in illness and injury over the past two decades. It’s an important focus of the industry, keeping the workers safe. In a profession that’s largely labour intensive, all elements must be considered as a means of reducing the risk of danger.

It’s essential for not only the wellbeing of the workers, but also for productivity, product quality and expenses.

The floor is something the workers are constantly in contact with. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require floors to be of a particular condition, as well as being suitable for the given environment.

For instance, where a floor subject to regular contamination, it’s a must that people can walk over it without slipping. Of course, a slaughterhouse is one of those environments that experiences a greater level of risk with all kinds of liquids frequently hitting the floor. This calls for a highly slip-resistant floor to minimalize the risk of falling.

We hope this information encourages you to make a deliberate decision when it comes to flooring. It’s the foundation that sets the standard for everything else, so choose wisely! To find out more about flooring systems suitable for slaughterhouses, click here.