In recent blog's we've looked at the benefits of using specialised attachments in food and drink manufacturing, and we've covered what to consider in order to make the right choice of attachment for your specific business operations. This month, we're keen to talk about safety

The food and drink industry is under constant pressure to meet high safety and hygiene standards - not just for consumer protection, but also to ensure the wellbeing of staff and the integrity of products during handling and transportation. At Contact Attachments, we work closely with businesses across the food and drink sector to supply attachments that don't just move materials efficiently, but actively enhance safety across the board

Here, we take a deep dive into the various ways the right forklift attachments can help food manufacturers raise their safety standards ...

Reduce Manual Handling Risks

Manual handling is one of the most common causes of injury in food production environments, accounting for over 30% of injuries within the industry that are reported to HSE. Repetitive lifting, awkward loads, and tight timeframes can all increase the risk of strain or injury, or even an accident.

Using specialised forklift attachments such as drum rotators, fork mounted scoops and load stabilisers reduces the need for manual intervention, lowering the risk of musculoskeletal injuries while improving efficiency.

Enhancing Hygiene Compliance 

In food processing and packaging environments, hygiene is non-negotiable. Attachments made from stainless steel or food-grade materials are designed to be non-toxic, non-absorbent, non-corrosive, and easy to clean - helping prevent contamination risks.

Our stainless steel range is particularly popular in washdown zones, cleanrooms, and allergen sensitive areas where hygiene protocols are most stringent.

Preventing Product Damage 

Product damage can be costly, however in the food sector it can also create serious safety hazards, from spills on the warehouse floor causing a slipping hazard to compromised packaging that may affect food integrity.

Attachments such as pallet handlers and rotators, and extra protective measures like fork protective caps ensure loads are moved securely, reducing the risk of tipping, crushing, improper stacking, or piercing damage. This results in a safer working environment for operatives along with less waste overall.

Improving Visibility and Control 

Forklift attachments can be customised to improve driver visibility and control when handling specific load types. Features like anti-slip forks, low-profile designs, or loading mirrors help operators to work with greater precision, which is crucial in busy or space-constrained environments.

Safe operation is further supported by training and awareness - both of which are easier to implement when the attachments used are designed for specific tasks. At Contact Attachments, we offer dedicated forklift attachment training on both forklifts and forklift attachments.

Meeting Legislative Requirements 

Food manufacturers must meet a wide range of safety regulations - including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, LOLER 1998 and the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. The right attachment can support compliance with these laws by ensuring materials are handled in ways that are safe, sanitary, and aligned with operation standards

For instance, attachments used in cold stores must be built to withstand low temperature without cracking or seizing while those in bottling plants need to be corrosion-resistant to cope with high humidity.

At Contact Attachments, we believe safety and efficiency go hand-in-hand. By investing in attachments that are built specifically for your environment and material handling needs, you reduce risk and stay ahead of regulatory requirements, whilst also improving performance. Whether you're handing raw ingredients finished goods, or waste materials, our team can help you find the right equipment to meet your safety goals without compromising on productivity. 

If you're in need of advice on the right forklift attachments for your food production site, do contact us today for a no-obligation chat on 01686 611200