Occupational environment monitoring at the factory producing snacks

1. Overview of the snack factory

a. What is a snack factory?

Factory snack is a manufacturing facility specializing in the production of snacks or small confectionery, commonly used as junk food. Snacks may include biscuits, wafers, butter cookies, snack bread, potato snacks, wheat snacks, nut snacks, and other small confectionery.

In a snack factory, the production process usually includes stages such as ingredient processing, mixing, pressing, shaping, baking, and packaging. Machinery and equipment in the factory include mixers, presses, ovens, shapers, packaging machines, and automatic control systems.

Snack factories usually ensure safe production processes, product quality, and compliance with hygiene and food safety regulations.

b. Production stages in a snack factory

The production stages in a snack factory may include:

• Ingredient preparation: This is the pre-production stage, including procurement and quality inspection of ingredients such as flour, sugar, vegetable oil, spices, flavorings, and other necessary components.
• Mixing ingredients: Ingredients are mixed together to form a homogeneous mixture. This process usually uses mixers to ensure even and consistent blending of components.
• Pressing or shaping: The mixture is pressed or shaped into desired forms. For snacks with special shapes, presses or shaping machines may be used to create distinctive shapes.
• Baking: Snacks are placed in ovens to bake until fully cooked, achieving crispness and good color. Baking time and temperature conditions depend on each specific snack.
• Cooling: After baking, snacks are cooled before packaging. The cooling process helps snacks become firmer and crispier.
• Packaging: Snacks are packaged in suitable packaging, such as plastic bags, paper boxes, or individually wrapped trays. The packaging process ensures product safety and preservation during transportation and sales.

c. Types of machinery used in a snack factory

In a snack factory, many types of machinery are used to carry out production stages. Below are some common machines in the snack industry:

• Mixer: Used to blend ingredients into a homogeneous mixture, including flour, sugar, vegetable oil, spices, and other components.
• Press or shaper: For snacks with special shapes, presses or shaping machines can be used to create desired forms.
• Oven: Where snacks are baked. Different types of ovens include vacuum ovens, rotary ovens, conveyor ovens, meeting different baking time and temperature requirements for various snacks.
• Surface crisping machine: Used to create crispiness on snack surfaces after baking. This machine usually uses processes such as heat crisping, steam crisping, or liquid crisping.
• Packaging machine: Automatic packaging machines are used to pack snacks into plastic bags, paper boxes, or individually wrapped trays. Packaging machines ensure product safety and preservation during transportation and sales.

d. What occupational diseases may occur for workers in a snack factory?

Workers in a snack factory may suffer from some occupational diseases that commonly occur in the food industry. Below are some common occupational diseases:

• Respiratory diseases: Employees working in environments with lots of dust, fumes, or vapors generated from snack production may face respiratory issues such as pneumonia, asthma, sinusitis, and pharyngitis.
• Allergies: There is a risk of developing allergies to snack ingredients such as nuts, flavorings, colorants, or additives. Allergies may cause symptoms such as nasal swelling, skin itching, rashes, or breathing difficulty.
• Skin diseases: Exposure to chemicals during snack production may cause skin irritation or allergic dermatitis. Diseases such as eczema, contact dermatitis, or bacterial dermatitis may occur.
• Digestive diseases: Employees working in food processing environments may be exposed to detergents, preservatives, or thickeners, which may cause digestive issues such as stomach ulcers, enteritis, or indigestion.
• Hand-related diseases: Jobs requiring continuous hand use such as operating machinery, packaging, or handling small tools may lead to hand-related diseases such as neuritis, arthritis, or hand nerve degeneration.

To protect workers’ health, occupational safety measures must be applied in snack factories, including the use of protective equipment, ensuring workplace hygiene, and controlling harmful substances.

e. Popular types of snacks in the market

There are many popular types of snacks in the market. Below are some common ones you may find:

• Potato snacks: Made from thinly sliced potatoes fried until crispy. Available in many flavors such as roasted salt, cheese, onion, barbecue, etc.
• Popcorn snacks: Made from crispy popped corn, usually baked with flavors such as butter, cheese, and spices.
• Corn butter snacks: Made from corn kernels coated in corn flour and baked crispy, usually with butter or salty flavor.
• Brown rice snacks: Made from roasted brown rice, available in flavors such as garlic, salt, chili.
• Noodle snacks: Made from fried wheat flour, available in many shapes and flavors such as cheese, shrimp, meat.
• Rolled snacks: Rolled form snacks made from wheat or rice flour, with multiple layers and flavors such as cheese, salmon, meat.
• Butter milk snacks: Crispy, light snacks with delicious buttery milk flavor.
• Yogurt snacks: Made from yogurt with fruity flavors, often in small balls or thin slices.
• Cookie snacks: Crisp cookie-like snacks, available in many flavors and shapes.
• Cookie-type snacks: Small, crispy snacks, usually round-shaped with flavors such as chocolate chip, almond, raisin.

2. Overview of occupational environment monitoring services

a. What is occupational environment monitoring in a snack factory?

Occupational environment monitoring (or occupational environment measurement) in a snack factory is the activity of collecting, evaluating, and analyzing measurement indicators of occupational environmental factors at the snack factory. It aims to take timely measures to minimize environmental impacts on workers’ health and prevent occupational diseases. Occupational environment monitoring is a mandatory regulation for snack factories.

Occupational environment monitoring plays the most important role in caring for, protecting, and enhancing workers’ health because the main resources of enterprises and the direct creators of profits are the workers. Workers frequently exposed to risk factors and occupational hazards exceeding permissible standards will face health impacts and occupational diseases.

REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

b. Occupational environment monitoring program of Nam Viet

The occupational environment monitoring program of Nam Viet is a program researched by monitoring engineers in the field of occupational safety and environmental protection. With the goal of ensuring workers’ health and safety, this program uses modern measuring methods to monitor the quality of air, water, and microclimate, physical, dust factors in the working environment. This is a very important program in ensuring a safe working environment and protecting workers’ health.

In addition, the occupational environment monitoring program of Nam Viet also plays an important role in researching and developing new solutions to improve the quality of the working environment. With the dedication and professionalism of the monitoring expert team, the exclusive monitoring program of Nam Viet is becoming a breakthrough in occupational safety management and environmental protection in Vietnam.

c. Standardization in occupational environment measurement processes

Standardization in occupational environment measurement processes of Nam Viet is a very important aspect in ensuring the quality of measurement results. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of results, this program applies recognized standards and standardized procedures of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. This ensures that the collected data will be highly reliable for assessing occupational environments and making decisions on improvements to protect workers’ health.

These standardized procedures also ensure that measurement results are carried out by a highly qualified monitoring team with years of experience, helping managers and experts rely on results from An Toan Nam Viet to make accurate and valuable decisions in protecting workers’ health and the environment.

By applying standardization in occupational environment measurement processes, Nam Viet demonstrates its commitment to ensuring a safe working environment and protecting workers’ health, while positively contributing to the development and improvement of occupational safety and environmental protection management quality in Vietnam.

d. Occupational environment monitoring report of a snack factory

The occupational environment monitoring results are prepared according to form No. 04 Appendix III issued together with Decree 44/2016/ND-CP and are made into two copies: one copy sent to the labor facility that signed the occupational environment monitoring contract and one copy kept at the monitoring organization.

The storage period for occupational environment monitoring results is indefinite as regulated by law.

e. Frequency of occupational environment monitoring according to law

According to Clause 2 of Article 18 of the Law on Occupational Safety and Hygiene 84/2015/QH13, employers must organize occupational environment monitoring to assess harmful factors at least once a year.

f. Deadline for submitting occupational environment monitoring reports according to law

The deadline for report submission is before December 31 each year. Enterprises belonging to production facilities must submit occupational environment monitoring reports to the Department of Health at the locality where the production facility or business has its headquarters and where workers are employed.

When there are changes in technology processes, production processes, or when renovating and upgrading labor facilities with risks of new harmful factors affecting workers’ health, enterprises belonging to production facilities must update occupational hygiene records regarding harmful factors that require occupational environment monitoring.

g. Regulations on penalties for violations of occupational environment monitoring for employers

According to Article 27 of Decree No. 12/2022/ND-CP dated January 17, 2022, Regulations on administrative penalties in the fields of labor, social insurance, and Vietnamese workers working abroad under contracts.

• Clause 2: A fine of 2,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND for employers who do not publicly announce to employees at occupational environment monitoring sites and inspected, evaluated, managed hazardous factor sites immediately after obtaining occupational environment monitoring results and hazardous factor inspection, evaluation, and management results at the workplace.
• Clause 3: A fine of 20,000,000 – 40,000,000 VND for employers who do not conduct occupational environment monitoring to control harmful impacts on workers’ health as required by law.
• Clause 4: A fine of 40,000,000 – 60,000,000 VND for employers who collude with occupational environment monitoring organizations to commit fraud in monitoring activities but not to the extent of criminal prosecution.

3. Harmful environmental factors for workers in snack production factories

In snack production factories, there are several environmental factors that may harm workers. Below are some potential environmental factors that may affect workers’ health in the snack production industry:

• Dust and dust vapor: The snack production process may generate dust and dust vapor from ingredients such as flour, spices, and oil. Prolonged exposure to dust and dust vapor can cause respiratory and eye problems such as rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, and eye irritation.
• Chemicals: During snack production, preservatives, colorants, sweeteners, and flavoring agents may be used. Exposure to these substances in the working environment can cause skin irritation, allergies, and other health problems.
• Temperature and humidity: Snack production factories often involve baking and drying processes, requiring high temperature and humidity conditions. These conditions may create a poorly ventilated working environment, leading to discomfort, fatigue, and negative effects on workers’ health.
• Noise: The snack production process, including machinery, ovens, packaging machines, and conveyors, may generate loud noise. Long-term exposure to noise can damage hearing and cause stress and fatigue for workers.
• Movement and working posture: Work in snack factories often requires continuous movement, repetitive tasks, and long periods of standing or sitting. This can cause muscle strain, back pain, shoulder pain, and musculoskeletal problems.

REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

4. Measures to improve the working environment in snack production factories

To improve the working environment in snack production factories and protect workers’ health, the following measures can be applied:

• Dust and dust vapor management: Ensure the use of effective dust extraction systems and dust management processes to reduce dust and dust vapor in the working environment. Place dust extraction equipment near machinery that generates a lot of dust and ensure regular cleaning of work areas.
• Chemical management: Use safe flavoring agents, sweeteners, preservatives, and colorants, and strictly comply with regulations on chemical use. Provide proper chemical usage instructions and ensure safe chemical storage.
• Temperature and humidity adjustment: Provide an effective air conditioning system to regulate temperature and humidity in factories. Ensure proper ventilation systems and fans to supply fresh air and improve workplace ventilation.
• Noise control: Install sound barriers and insulation systems to reduce noise in factories. Provide hearing protection for workers and ensure compliance with noise-related safety regulations.
• Training and education: Provide training and education on occupational safety, environmental hygiene, and the use of personal protective equipment. Ensure employees are aware of potential hazards and personal protection measures.
• Movement and posture management: Ensure that workstations are designed to be convenient and comfortable for workers. Provide supportive equipment such as quality chairs and ensure regular movement and posture changes to avoid muscle and joint strain.
• Risk assessment and compliance: Conduct risk assessments and comply with occupational safety, environmental hygiene, and personal protective equipment regulations. Ensure that factories comply with local and national standards and regulations related to the working environment.
• Regularly organize occupational environment monitoring in factories, collect and analyze harmful factors affecting workers, and make adjustments to reduce risks, thereby preventing occupational diseases for them.

5. Benefits of regular monitoring in snack production factories

An Toan Nam Viet provides businesses with excellent benefits when using occupational environment monitoring services in compliance with Decree 44/2016/NĐ–CP on the management and control of harmful workplace factors affecting workers.

• Businesses can proactively control harmful factors in workshops or factories.
• Receive consulting and recommendations on measures to minimize harmful factors and improve workplace quality.
• Indirectly protect human resources, the key factor in business development.
• Reduce the impact of occupational diseases on workers’ health, thereby lowering treatment costs in the future.
• Improve workers’ health, leading to better product quality and stable productivity.
• Comply with occupational safety laws, avoiding legal risks.
• Build credibility and professionalism in all aspects, enhancing the company’s brand reputation.

The occupational environment monitoring service of Nam Viet is the solution to minimize the impact of occupational diseases, contributing to a healthy and high-quality working environment.

6. National Occupational Environment Monitoring Center

Occupational environment monitoring center of Nam Viet is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring occupational environment quality nationwide across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.

In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports clients in planning, handling, and tracking occupational environment issues. With the motto “customers at the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meeting all client needs, and committing to the best solutions for businesses.

REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

With investments in technology, equipment, and human resources, the monitoring center of Nam Viet has become one of the reputable units in occupational environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following goals:

• We always value brand reputation and the quality of our services.
• We provide clients with the best and most suitable solutions possible.
• With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers, we aim to protect the environment and bring value to businesses.
• With An Toan Nam Viet Monitoring team, your company will receive professional services from experts in the monitoring field, along with the best cost advantages.

The occupational environment monitoring process at Nam Viet includes the following basic steps:

• Before performing occupational environment monitoring, our company always ensures that monitoring machinery and equipment are calibrated and standardized in accordance with legal requirements.
• Strictly follow the occupational environment monitoring procedures committed to the Department of Health.
• Accurately report monitoring results to employers.
• If monitoring results show unsafe conditions for workers, Nam Viet will support by providing corrective solutions, and the workplace will implement the following:
  • Implement measures to improve working conditions, minimizing harmful factors and preventing occupational diseases.
  • Organize medical check-ups to detect occupational diseases and work-related illnesses early for workers in unsafe environments.
  • Provide physical allowances to workers as required by labor laws.

7. Occupational Environment Monitoring Price Quotation

To help businesses carry out occupational environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides clients with a high-quality, reasonably priced occupational environment monitoring service price list.

• Our monitoring quotation provides detailed information about the costs of the monitoring services we offer, including transportation, measurement, analysis, and reporting fees. Clients can be assured of the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring reports we provide.
• We are committed to offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are always ready to provide quick and professional consulting to address all inquiries regarding monitoring services.
• With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation, clients can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to delivering the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.