Considerable research, history and experience when it comes to safety plans and programs for the beverage industry have established respect and appreciation for the complex nature and broad scope involved with the subject. Because safety has many aspects, the focus here is directed primarily toward physical facilities, personnel protection and approaches for establishing and managing a safe environment.
Research indicates that, for the past 50 years, most industries have had some form of plan or program in place for addressing their accidents, injuries and interpretation of safety. Because so many variations of these practices existed, it necessitated forming government agencies to develop rules, regulations, best practices and standards pertaining to safe environments under categorized working conditions. In addition to these agencies (OSHA, FDA, FSMA and others), many companies were created to provide supplies and materials to comply with agency regulations and standards.