Cacique Food Manufacturing Operations

Citadel EHS provided an industrial hygiene exposure assessment for Cacique, Inc. at its cheese manufacturing facility in City of Industry, California. The assessment focused on manufacturing processes involving the measuring, blending, and batching of food products by mixer operators, with the objective of evaluating potential employee exposure to airborne dust generated during production activities.

Citadel evaluated both total and respirable dust exposures using full-shift personal monitoring of mixer operators and area sampling in locations where product dust generation was expected to be highest. Personal exposure monitoring followed NIOSH Methods 0500 and 0600, with samples submitted to an accredited laboratory for analysis.

Sampling results were evaluated against applicable Cal/OSHA eight-hour time-weighted average Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs). Citadel's assessment was designed to provide the client with defensible exposure data, conclusions, and practical recommendations for corrective action where appropriate, including potential modifications to manufacturing processes or the use of personal protective equipment. The work was managed and quality reviewed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist.

For food manufacturers, understanding potential airborne exposures generated during mixing, batching, and ingredient-handling operations is an important component of protecting employees and maintaining effective workplace health and safety programs. Citadel's assessment provided Cacique with objective exposure data to support informed decisions regarding worker protection, process controls, PPE, and occupational health compliance.

Highlights:

• Active cheese manufacturing facility
• Food production exposure assessment
• Total & respirable dust monitoring
• Full-shift personal air sampling
• Mixer operator exposure evaluation
• NIOSH sampling methodologies
• Cal/OSHA PEL comparison
• CIH-managed assessment