Utility Services

While studying the ideal layout of modern abattoir you must have noticed a utility block.

The utility block comprises of uniform change room for male and female workers, showers, laundry room and dispensary. Actually the section is meant for utilization by people rendering their services to plant. It should be designed and planned properly.

Following facilities should be provided in the utility block:

Entrance: Preferably separate entrance should be designed for male and female workers. The privacy should be ensured.

Lockers: Each and every individual should be provided a separate shelf with key and lock facility where they can keep their valuable purse, rings, clothes etc. Although a locker facility/cloak room is being provided at the main entrance itself, still a small shelf is needed in utility block section. 

Toilet/Urinals: There should be separate toilet/urinals for male and female. The number of toilets/urinals should be sufficient according to strength of workers. Usually 4 to 6 toilets/urinals att sufficient for 100 workers. Care for proper cleaning of toilet/urinals should be taken. There must be an exhaust in each toilet and its direction must be properly guided. There should be separate sewage line connecting to toilet/urinals. Some antiodourous tablets must be kept in urinals. 

Shower: All members working in the factory should take shower and change their clothes. Separate showers for male and female workers and sufficient number must be provided i.e.,one for every 15 employees. 

Dressing room: Adjacent to bath room there should be dressing room where the wet clothing could be put off. Soiled clothing should be separately kept in containers for washing every day. In dressing room there must be a mirror but any type of hard cosmetics should be prohibited. 

Apron, caps, mask and gloves: Every individual should be provided a sterilized apron, cap and mask. Its colour may be different as per working section. All individual should wear cap in such a manner that the chances of hair fall could be minimized. Mask is meant to prevent any contamination from worker's mouth or nose. Gloves are provided to workers of specialized section to prevent contact of meat with bare hand. 

Gumboots/shoes: Gum boots for abattoir workers and shoes for clean area workers should be provided. Foot dip with disinfectants for foot wears at entrance and exit is required.

Wash basin: Wash basins or elongated washing troughs with individual taps must be provided one for every 15 employees. The taps should either be foot or knee operated to prevent contamination. Some soap solution must be provided which should not be possesses a strong odour. 

Canteen: There should be canteen for the staffs preferably separate for workers of clean and semi-clean areas. Alternatively, shift systems should be introduced first for the clean area workers followed by workers from unclean area.  

Dispensary: Facilities for first aid and medical treatment should be available in the abattoir. General check up is required for all workers before their appointment and also periodically once in three/six months. 

Veterinary office: It should be adequately equipped for exclusive use of veterinary services including diagnosis of animal diseases. 

Training hall: A training hall should be there to train employees and meat inspectors for maintaining hygiene and quality control of meat and meat products and sanitation in the abattoir. 

Audio-visual system: It may be introduced for the workers to learn the latest techniques.

Common room: There should be a common room with means of entertainment such as Television, Transistor, indoor games etc. 

Meeting hall: There should be a meeting hall for discussion of activities going on and any type of disputes or complaint etc.