PC-JUN09-PGS7.OK:PC-JUN09-PGS7.OK.qxd 29/05/2009 14:57 Page S7
Focus Food processing & packaging
Clearer ties between quality and safety
In the food production sector, it is important to pay attention
to all the equipment specified for use – right down to the
smallest components. James Rice, at HellermannTyton,
looks at the latest innovations in cable ties for this sector
T
here is no escaping the necessity process, and leaving the factory unde-
for stringent health and safety tected in the product. There have
regulations within the food pro- been reports of the excess part of the
duction sector. Not only does the tie being cut off when maintenance is
reputation of a company depend on it, carried out – or even the whole tie
but with the shift in society towards a being removed – which can acci-
culture of liability, law suits and com- dently enter the production line and
pensation claims, there are an increas- ultimately taint the product.
ing number of reasons why risks To address this issue, some cable tie
simply cannot be taken. manufacturers have developed high
When involved in the time and grade nylon ties with metallic pigment
resource consuming task of specify- dispersed throughout the head and
ing machinery to ensure compliance strap to ensure their identification by
with necessary standards, there can metal detecting machines, which are
be a danger of overlooking the impor- utilised in many food production Some cable ties of colours is suitable for large produc-
tance of some smaller components plants. As an extra precaution, these now include a tion plants, where different colour ties
such as cable ties. However, this ties are coloured blue to enable visible metallic pigment so can be used for different areas of the
‘Using coloured, metal content cable ties can have a
they can be identi- plant. This ensures that not only are
fied by metal any cable ties easy to see, the colour
substantial impact on a company’s ability to adhere to
detecting machines
will identify what part of the process
they have been ‘lost’ from.
health and safety regulations’
Health & safety regulations
could be a costly mistake as there can detection in any produce, and are Using coloured, metal content cable
be unforeseen accidents with any available in a range of sizes for all ties can have a substantial impact on a
equipment used in the food manufac- types of installation. company’s ability to adhere to health
turing process. Such ties have proved to be a suc- and safety regulations. Some can be
Looking specifically at cable ties, cess in the food production industry, used to aid compliance with the
although it is unlikely, there is a risk so HellermannTyton has launched an HACCP (Hazard Analysis of Critical
of the whole tie or just a small part of extended range of metal content ties in Control Points) directive which
it contaminating the production a greater choice of colours. This range requires that effective food safety sys-
tems are established through the appli-
Steam management helps cut carbon emissions
cation of systematic approaches to
hazard and risk analysis.
Another important factor to con-
R
egular scheduled monitoring and maintenance of the 220 steam traps at Daniel Thwaites Brewery in Blackburn has
sider when it comes to specifying
resulted in estimated energy savings of more than £30,000 per year, through a three-year steam trap management
cable ties in food manufacturing is the
contract with Spirax Sarco. This saving should enable the brewery to reduce its annual carbon emissions by 20,000kg.
temperature extremes that the equip-
Spirax Sarco has been carrying out steam trap surveys at the brewery for many years, but switching to a longer-term con-
ment must operate in.
tract including six-monthly surveys offers clear advantages, according to the brewery’s projects and utilities manager Mick
HellermannTyton’s metal content ties,
Cockshott. The contract includes repair and replacement activity as part of the deal, making it more cost-effective and easier for example, can be used in tempera-
for the brewer to manage its maintenance budget. “In the past we have had annual trap surveys done and then had to get the tures ranging from -40˚C to 85˚C.
traps repaired at additional cost,” he said. “Spirax Sarco now carries out any follow up maintenance automatically.”
The contract also means there is no Reducing contamination risks
chance of vital maintenance work slip-
With more stringent health and safety
ping behind. “Surveys are scheduled in
regulations, along with increasing
by Spirax Sarco, so there’s no need to
brand competition, detection of for-
put a reminder in the diary,” explained
eign objects will continue to be
Cockshott.
extremely important in food manufac-
“We have been working with Spirax
turing and processing. For those
Sarco for many years and find their ser-
involved in the industry, changing a
vice and components excellent. The
simple component such as a cable tie
contract has been running for about six
could reduce the risk of contaminated
months and is going well. I am pleased
products leaving the factory unde-
tected. This will inevitably lead to
with the service,” he concluded.
increased levels of safety.
Spirax Sarco
T: 01242 521361 Enter 230
www.spiraxsarco.com/uk
HellermannTyton
T: 0161 945 4181 Enter 231
www.hellermanntyton.co.uk
Process & Control JUNE 2009 S7
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48