Occupational Safety Training for Frozen Meat Processing

1. Overview of frozen meat

a. What is frozen meat?

• Frozen meat is fresh or processed meat that is sealed and preserved at a low temperature until it is used. The freezing process helps food stay fresh longer and limits the growth of bacteria and pathogens. Frozen meat is widely used in the food industry to preserve and transport food during import and export.
• The frozen meat production industry in Vietnam is developing quite positively. According to a report by the Department of Animal Health, frozen meat output in 2020 reached about 150 thousand tons, a 10% increase compared to 2019. This is the result of investment and improvement in production technology and enhanced product quality to meet the increasing market demand. However, the frozen meat production industry still faces some challenges, such as fierce market competition, difficulties in importing raw materials, and limited production technology that needs to be improved to meet quality and food safety standards.

b. Types of machinery for frozen meat production

The types of machinery for frozen meat production include:

• Chilling machine: used to lower the meat’s temperature to a safe level, helping to preserve the meat for a longer time.
• Vacuum packaging machine: used to package food in vacuum bags, removing the air inside the bags to prevent microorganisms and other pollutants.
• Meat cutting machine: used to cut meat into appropriate pieces for packaging and preservation.
• Freezer: used to store meat at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius to prevent the growth of microorganisms and save storage space.
• Packaging machine: used to package meat with different types of packaging such as nylon bags, vacuum bags, paper boxes, plastic boxes, metal boxes, etc.

These types of machinery are used to produce frozen meat at food production factories, freezing plants, food distribution centers, etc.

c. Typical frozen meat production enterprises in Vietnam

In Vietnam, there are many frozen meat production enterprises such as:

• An Phu Food Processing Joint Stock Company: a pioneering enterprise in the field of frozen meat production in Vietnam, operating since 1997.
• Minh Tan Food Co., Ltd.: established in 2004, with its headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City. The company specializes in producing and supplying various types of frozen meat for the domestic and export markets.
• Hung Loc Phat Food Co., Ltd.: operates in the field of production, processing, and import/export of frozen meat, especially frozen pork. The company is headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Mien Dong Food Co., Ltd.: established in 2011, with its headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City. The company specializes in producing and supplying frozen meat products, especially frozen chicken.
• Nam Viet Seafood Processing and Export Joint Stock Company (NAVICO): one of Vietnam’s leading companies in the production and export of seafood and frozen meat products. The company’s headquarters are in Hai Phong city.
• VISSAN Company is a State-owned Enterprise directly under the Saigon Trading Corporation, established on November 20, 1970, and began production on May 18, 1974. The company’s business is specialized in the production and trading of fresh livestock meat.

d. Specific jobs in a frozen meat production factory

Group 1

• Executive director, deputy executive director, and department heads in a frozen meat production factory.

Group 2

• Safety officer: manages factory safety, designs safety procedures, supervises, and urges employees to comply with safe work procedures.

Group 3

• Meat reception: Receives meat from a meat processing plant or other meat suppliers.
• Meat quality inspection: Inspects meat quality to ensure it meets hygiene, food safety, and technical requirements.
• Meat cutting: Cuts meat into pieces or blocks of a specific size and shape.
• Meat processing: Processes meat according to customer requirements, including preparing dishes, grilling, smoking, etc.
• Meat packaging: Packages meat using different methods such as vacuum packaging, CO2 packaging, etc.
• Meat freezing: Freezes meat using freezing equipment to minimize bacterial growth and extend its shelf life.
• Frozen meat preservation and storage: Arranges, preserves, and stores frozen meat to ensure food hygiene and safety and meat quality.
• Frozen meat export: Exports frozen meat to meet the demands of the international market.

Group 4

• Office work, service, sales, and marketing.
• Production management, human resource management, material management, and financial accounting management.
• Quality management: Inspects product quality and manages the production process to ensure the quality of frozen meat meets safety, hygiene, and technical standards.
• Researching product packaging designs.

2. Overview of the labor safety training course for frozen meat production

Within the scope of this article, we focus on issues related to Group 3, because Group 3 is the group that directly participates in the production process and bears the highest risk of labor accidents. See other groups here

a. What is Group 3 labor safety training?

• Labor safety training for Group 3 consists of sessions that provide workers with awareness on how to prevent workplace accidents.
• The labor safety training course will help workers recognize and prevent dangers, and limit the risks of workplace accidents during work.

REGISTER FOR LABOR SAFETY TRAINING SERVICE

b. Training duration

Initial safety training duration

• The total training duration is at least 24 hours, including examination time.
• 8 hours of theoretical study on the system of policies and laws on occupational safety and hygiene
• 8 hours of theoretical study on basic knowledge of occupational safety and hygiene
• 4 hours of theoretical study on specialized training content
• 2 hours of practical training on specialized training content
• 2 hours of theoretical examination at the end of the training course

The safety training center will distribute the time into multiple training sessions depending on the time available for employees. However, there are usually 6 training sessions, and the course will take place over 3 days, provided that the production enterprise can arrange continuous study time.

Periodic safety training duration

• Before the labor safety card expires, if employees want to have it reissued, they must undergo a periodic labor safety training course, with the periodic safety training duration being at least 50% of the initial safety training duration.

Explanation: The total periodic labor safety training duration is at least 12 hours, including examination time. After completing the periodic training course and passing the exam, the employee will be reissued or have their labor safety card renewed.

c. Content of the training course

See more training content for 6 groups

d. Labor safety card

After completing the labor safety training course and passing the exam, the employee will be granted a labor safety card (also commonly known as a Group 3 labor safety certificate).

The Group 3 safety card will clearly show information such as: full name, date of birth, specific job, and work environment. It will also include the training duration, a red stamp, and a signature confirming the completion of the training course.

According to the regulations on issuing safety cards specified in Clause 2 Article 24 of Decree 44/2016/ND-CP, there are two cases:

• In the case where the employer and the employee have a labor contract, the employer must sign, stamp, and initial the safety card for the Group 3 trainee after they have completed the training course from a labor safety training unit and passed the exam.
• In the case of freelance or seasonal workers who do not have a labor contract, the training unit must sign, stamp, and initial the safety card for the worker after they have completed the training course from a labor safety training unit and passed the exam.

3. Identifying hazards affecting employees in frozen meat production

The hazards that can affect employees during frozen meat production include:

• Machinery and equipment in the frozen meat production process can cause labor accidents such as cuts, punctures, crushing, or impacts.
• Chemicals used to clean or preserve frozen meat can be harmful to the health of employees. These chemicals can cause fires, explosions, or skin irritation.
• The frozen meat refrigeration process can be dangerous for employees, including the risk of cold exposure or burns from contact with liquid nitrogen.
• Dirty, humid, and bacteria-filled work environments can pose a risk of infection to employees.
• Those working in a frozen environment may face psychological health issues, including depression and anxiety.
• If electrical equipment in the factory is not regularly maintained, sufficiently insulated, or waterproofed, it will pose a risk of electric shock to employees during production.

4. Common types of labor accidents for employees in frozen meat production

Some common types of labor accidents that occur during frozen meat production include:

• Cuts and punctures: Due to the use of sharp tools like knives, scissors, and shovels to handle meat, improper technique or a slip can lead to cuts and punctures on hands, fingers, and the body.
• Slips and falls: Employees in a frozen meat production factory may face the risk of slipping and falling when moving on the factory floor, especially when working at height.
• Temperature accidents: When producing frozen meat, direct contact with cold substances can affect the health of workers, causing severe injuries, inflammation, pain, numbness, and even frostbite.
• Chemical accidents: When using chemicals in the frozen meat production process, employees can be exposed to harmful chemicals such as ammonia, acids, cleaning agents, preservatives, etc. If not used correctly or exposed, they can lead to serious health effects on employees.
• Fire and explosion accidents: Since frozen meat production factories use electrical, gas, and oil systems, etc., during the production and storage of meat, the risk of fire and explosion can occur if not properly managed and maintained.
• Food safety accidents: Workers in a frozen meat production factory can face the risk of bacterial or viral infections if they don’t follow proper hygiene and food safety procedures. Causes can include improper use of equipment and not maintaining personal and work area hygiene.

5. Safety measures when participating in frozen meat production

Safety measures when participating in frozen meat production include:

• Ensuring food hygiene and safety: This is the most important factor to ensure the product meets quality standards and is not harmful to consumer health. Employees must be trained and strictly comply with food hygiene regulations, ensuring the use of personal protective equipment and health protection equipment when working.
• Using safety equipment: Machinery and equipment must be regularly inspected to ensure they function properly and do not pose a danger to employees. Employees must be trained on how to use the equipment and must comply with safety regulations when using them.
• Temperature control: Temperature is a crucial factor in frozen meat production. Temperature control must be done correctly to ensure product quality. Employees must be trained to control the temperature and have a plan to address issues if the temperature is not correct.
• Using safe cleaning and disinfecting agents: Cleaning and disinfecting agents are used in the frozen meat production process. Employees must be trained on how to use and store these substances and must comply with safety regulations when using them.
• Ensuring safety when working with electrical equipment: Electrical equipment is widely used in frozen meat production factories. Employees must be trained to use this equipment correctly and must comply with safety regulations when working with electrical equipment.
• Training and supervision: Employees must be fully trained in labor safety and safety regulations related to the frozen meat production process.
• Periodically organize work environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing harmful factors to employees, thereby adjusting to reduce the level of harm to prevent occupational diseases.

6. Benefits of labor safety training for frozen meat production

An Toan Nam Viet provides businesses with excellent benefits after completing labor safety training courses as regulated in Decree 44/2016/ND – CP on occupational safety and hygiene, for companies, factories, and enterprises.

• Workers can identify potential risks of labor accidents and take preventive measures to avoid them.
• Your business can establish risk prevention measures in the production, operation, and maintenance process.
• Minimize costs when unsafe labor risks occur.
• Uninterrupted production helps increase labor productivity and product quality.
• Compliance with labor safety laws avoids legal risks.
• Create credibility and professionalism in all aspects, thereby elevating your business’s brand.

Nam Viet’s training courses are a solution to prevent and combat external factors that could lead to personal injury or, more seriously, death.

REGISTER FOR LABOR SAFETY TRAINING SERVICE

7. Customer feedback after completing the frozen meat production labor safety training course

An Toan Nam Viet has many years of experience in our mission of accompanying many businesses in Vietnam in general and in the southern provinces in particular. That responsibility is something extremely valuable to Nam Viet, which is why our Labor Safety Training work is always focused on becoming more and more professional. The motivation for An Toan Nam Viet to grow strongly comes from the positive feedback and suggestions from businesses. Below is the feedback from our partners that we have served.

KOSIA E&C Co., Ltd.

“I am very satisfied with Nam Viet’s safety training service; the teaching quality meets the standards we set. It helps our company have one less problem to deal with, allowing us to focus more on our expertise.”

Lee Ki Hwa / General Director

Bac Nam E&C Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company

“The first time I used An Toan Nam Viet’s service, I was very impressed by the enthusiastic 24/7 support from the consulting team. The class organization was very quick and convenient for our company; thank you very much for Nam Viet’s service!”

Nguyen Thanh Binh / Director

Hoa Dat Construction and Trading Joint Stock Company

“Nam Viet’s service has helped us a lot in simplifying labor safety and completing safety documents for the work process. The consulting team is enthusiastic and responsive to our questions. 5 stars for Nam Viet.”

Truong Ba Ngoc Minh / Chairman of the Board of Directors

See more customer interviews after using An Toan Nam Viet’s service

8. An Toan Nam Viet’s Labor Safety Training Capacity

An Toan Nam Viet is a reputable and high-quality labor safety training center in Vietnam today. We hold continuous labor safety training sessions at production workshops, factories, or construction sites across the country (63 provinces and cities in Vietnam).

REGISTER FOR LABOR SAFETY TRAINING SERVICE

License for labor safety training

• An Toan Nam Viet has been inspected and granted a certificate of eligibility to operate in labor safety and hygiene training by the Department of Labor Safety under the Ministry of Labor – Invalids and Social Affairs. This further strengthens our capacity to provide labor safety training.

Documents and lectures

• Before our labor safety training documents are used in labor safety training courses, they are reviewed and approved to ensure that the lectures are factually correct and effective when applied.
• The teaching method of our lecturers is synchronized with An Toan Nam Viet‘s teaching standards, which are based on the research and experience of experts in labor safety and hygiene training to bring the highest knowledge acquisition efficiency to students.

Facilities

• Controlling the factors in the classroom that affect the training process will increase teaching efficiency and the effectiveness of students’ knowledge acquisition.
• Our training facilities always have spacious classrooms that meet standards for area, lighting, training equipment, etc.

9. Reputable and quality national safety training center

At An Toan Nam Viet, we always prioritize our professional dedication to labor safety training. For us, providing workers with the knowledge to protect themselves so they can have a safe journey in their livelihood is a contribution to building the country.

To ensure effective training, we prepare carefully and meticulously for every detail, no matter how small. From preparing tools, equipment, and teaching aids to the curriculum, documents, sound, and lighting.

Our labor safety training lecturers are experts with many years of experience in the field. They even have research projects on identifying dangers in all industries and how to prevent them.

The lecturers’ lessons are compiled from practical experience and conveyed in a vivid, easy-to-visualize way for the workers. These factors help workers feel comfortable during their study time and absorb our teaching knowledge well. Of course, the knowledge conveyed is always closely aligned with Decree 44/2016/ND-CP.

From there, they learn many measures to prevent dangers and how to protect themselves. At the same time, they also apply them in the most suitable way in their actual work.

Our safety training center is proud to be a reputable and professional labor safety training service provider with the following advantages:

• Competitive training costs while maintaining high training quality.
• Flexible training schedules to suit the production situation of the company or enterprise.
• Quick certification and documentation procedures, in compliance with the law.
• Our training lecturers are highly experienced professionals in the field.
• Classrooms are controlled for factors affecting the training process, increasing teaching efficiency and the effectiveness of students’ knowledge acquisition.
• The lectures are compiled to be suitable for labor safety work at enterprises.
• An Toan Nam Viet works with dedication and professionalism to provide accurate and fast support to customers.

10. Refer to more labor safety training documents for frozen meat production

• Labor safety documents for frozen meat production
• Set of labor safety training documents
• Set of labor safety training exam questions
• Multiple-choice test on labor safety for frozen meat production
• Slides for the labor safety training lecture on frozen meat production