Greenhouse vegetables are eaten fresh, often uncooked. That's why greenhouses follow food-safety programs (CanadaGAP is common in Canada), and every worker is part of it.
Common rules
- Wash your hands when you enter, after using the washroom, after eating and after touching anything dirty.
- Eat, drink (except water where allowed) and smoke only in designated areas.
- Don't wear jewellery or items that could fall into the produce, according to company policy.
- Cover any wound with a bandage and gloves.
- Tell someone if you're sick (vomiting, diarrhea, fever). You may need to switch tasks.
- Don't put harvest containers directly on the floor if the company says so.
- Report broken glass or hard plastic near produce.
Every company has its own food-safety rules. They'll be explained at orientation and following them is mandatory.