Page 75 - Microsoft Word -Cow Book 10-06-09 final update.doc

Item 17r

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

REQUIREMENT: Hands shall be washed clean and dried with an individual sanitary
towel immediately before milking, before performing any milkhouse function, and
immediately after the interruption of any of these activities. Milkers and bulk milk
haulers/samplers shall wear clean outer garments while milking or handling milk,
milk containers, utensils, or equipment.

Public Health Reason: The reasons for clean hands of the persons doing the
milking are similar to those for the cleanliness of the lactating animal’s udder. The
milker’s hands may have been exposed to contamination during the course of
normal duties on the farm and at milking time. Because the hands of all workers
frequently come into contact with their clothing it is important that the clothes
worn, during milking and the handling of milk, be clean.

Inspectional areas of emphasis or special problem areas may be:

1. Observation for compliance with this item is usually made during milking time.
The milker must have clean outer clothing, use good personal hygienic prac-
tices, and wash his/her hands before handling milking equipment, after each
visit to the toilet or after any interruption in the normal work duties.

2. The use of tobacco in any form should be discouraged while performing
milking operations.

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