What Is a Hair Net?
A hair net is a mesh cap designed to be worn inside a hair cap to prevent hair from falling out. Made from fine mesh, it effectively keeps hair and dander contained, minimizing contamination risks. The top part of the hair net features a coarser mesh for ventilation, reducing discomfort and stuffiness. Hair nets are available in both disposable and washable options.
Uses of Hair Nets
Hair nets are essential in environments where it’s critical to prevent hair from coming into contact with products or equipment, such as in food processing plants, precision equipment manufacturing plants, laboratories, and medical facilities. With the implementation of the revised Food Sanitation Bill in June 2020, which mandated HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) in the food industry, sanitation management has become even stricter. The HACCP system, a method for ensuring food safety by eliminating hazardous factors throughout the production process, now impacts a wide range of businesses involved in food manufacturing, processing, preparation, and sale. Consequently, hygiene control, including the use of hair nets, has gained increased importance, necessitating thorough training and adherence to manufacturing processes as per HACCP guidelines.
Principle of Hair Nets
Hair nets are typically donned at the start of the production process in food processing facilities. When worn correctly, they effectively cover the hair, ensuring proper hygiene. Key steps for correct usage include:
- Tucking back the hair.
- Turning the hair net inside out to check for foreign objects.
- Positioning the hair net on the forehead, ensuring it is centered.
- Securing the hair net over the head, making sure no hair protrudes.
The correct method involves turning the hair net inside out and securing it on the forehead before fully putting it on. This technique helps to keep the hair tucked in without disrupting its arrangement. Incorrectly wearing the hair net from the top can lead to hair protruding from the bottom, increasing the risk of contamination. Hair nets are widely used in various workplaces, and proper usage is critical. Risk reduction involves selecting the right size, ensuring hair is securely inside the net, and following any specific rules for removing and donning the cap.