Food industry risks: equipment breakdown

The food-and-beverage industry relies heavily on equipment to produce and process their products. But when parts wear out or equipment breaks down, it can lead to loss of production, spoiled inventory, and employee injuries. Some examples of equipment breakdown risks in the food and beverage industry include:

• Boilers: Corrosion, overheating, or lack of proper maintenance are among the reasons boilers fail.
• Refrigeration equipment: Refrigeration equipment, such as walk-in coolers and freezers, can fail due to mechanical issues, electrical problems, or lack of maintenance, which can lead to loss of inventory and potential health hazards.
• Processing equipment: Food and beverage companies use a variety of processing equipment, such as mixers, grinders, and conveyors, which can break down due to wear and tear, lack of maintenance, or other issues, leading to production downtime and lost revenue.
• Power supply: Power outages or surges can cause equipment breakdowns and lead to spoilage or production problems.

To mitigate equipment breakdown risks, food-and-beverage companies should regularly inspect and maintain equipment to ensure that it is in good working condition. They should also develop a preventive maintenance program to schedule regular check-ups. Developing a risk management plan that includes procedures for responding to equipment failures natural disasters, or power supply issues is also wise.

Risk engineering can help. Experienced risk engineers can inspect facilities and determine which equipment is in danger of breaking down.

TÜV SÜD Global Risk Consultants has delivered more than 400,000 risk recommendations, representing nearly $700 billion in loss exposure reduction. If you’re interested in learning how risk engineering can help your business, contact us.