Hello
Please can I ask what people's thoughts are on automatic hand dryers in food manufacturing?
We have both a high and low risk facility (in the same building) and within the changing/hand wash facilities we are considering replacing the use of paper towels with automatic "hands in" hand dryers (similar to Dyson Airblades).
We have hand was facilities in the production areas but we will continue to use paper towels there, we only want to install the hand dryers in changing areas and they are separated by at least 1 door (from production areas).
What are everyone's thought on these? I know the Dyson Airblades have come under scrutiny in the past when used by food manufacturers as they could potentially pool stagnant water and act as an aerosol for microbes but paper towels are incredibly expensive, they contribute to a large proportion of our waste and we would no doubt score some environment points by cutting their use! So I am thinking a sound risk assessment to justify their use in changing areas only (away from production lines) could work?
Also, I know the Tesco "TFMS" states that they must not be used in "production areas" but would changing facilities constitute a production area and this particular requirement in the TFMS (section 10.9.2) has high risk/care scope only so I'm assuming that Tesco allow hand dryers in low risk production areas?
Thanks in advance
Danny