® (Consejos Sanitarios) Language should not be a barrier to plant sanitation By Joel Crews jcrews@sosland.com I n a recent survey of 352 executives working for processing companies with annual sales of at least $100 million, MEAT&POULTRY editors asked: "Is language a significant barrier to you becoming a better manager?" When 74 percent of the executives responded 'yes' to this question, it confi rmed a hunch that there is still a need among executives for more tools to overcome the ongoing language barrier. Based on this premise, we asked respondents to tell us what would be a productive step in helping them address language at the plant level. The resonating sentiment indicated an absence of fundamental information about sanitation written for the workers who need it the most - many of whom are Hispanic and are challenged by instructions written in English. To this end, we are debuting M&P's "Sanitation Tips," published in English alongside a Spanish translation. Survey respondents told us this is the type of information they would like to post on bulletin boards and distribute in employee handbooks. The first of our bimonthly Sanitation Tips (Consejos Sanitarios) focuses on worker safety and general considerations on how to safely handle and store sanitation chemicals commonly used to clean and sanitize meat and poultry plants. Future topics will cover specific sanitation applications and the techniques and technologies available throughout the industry as plant operators and workers work toward the common and uncompromising goal of in-plant sanitation. We welcome your feedback and suggestions as "Sanitation Tips" becomes a regular feature throughout the coming publishing year. We would like to hear from you-your comments and questions about this article are welcome. E-mail the author at: jcrews@sosland.com. - Photos courtesy of Contract Services, Ltd. 68 I MEAT&POULTRY I September 2006 I www.MEATPOULTRY.comhttp://www.MEATPOULTRY.com