The Use of Castors on Racks in the Food Processing Industry

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has identified a problem in the food industry with racks which are moved into and out of both hot and cold areas during the course of a day.

The racks may be operated in a hot area (temperatures of around 280 O C) and then moved into areas where temperatures are perhaps - 30 O C.

The problem appears to be that some of the wheels and castors currently in use are unsuitable for the application with the result that the wheels screech, producing noise levels in excess of 90 dB, and with time racks can become more difficult to manoeuvre with time.

This is an examination of the problem.