Health Regulations for Omani Halwa Factories

• Health Regulations for Omani Halwa Factories Article (I): A municipal licence for the factory shall be obtained from the concerned municipality prior to practising the activity. Article (2): The factory shall be located far from any source of pollution and its area shall be suited to the volume of work. Article (3): The factory shall be divided into three divisions as follows: First: Halwa processmg hall with the following specifications: a) The floor shall be covered with non-slip tiles, the walls shall be covered with white tiles to a height of two metres and the uncovered parts of the wall and ceiling shall be coated with light oil paint. b) The boilers (containers) for halwa processing shall be placed on bases built with four sides and open in the middle. They shall be set at 30 cm height from the floor leaving 2 metres space between the boilers. c) An entrance underneath the boilers connected with the chimney. Where coal or charcoal are used as fuel the top of the chimney shall be two metres above the height of the surrounding buildings that are within a circle of 25 metres radius. The use of gas for halwa processing is preferable. d) A semicircular open drain lined with ceramic tiles and covered with an iron grating sloping outwards to the processing place and connected to a proper drainage system. e) Air-conditioners or openings covered with wire mesh. f) Cold and hot potable water supply for processing and a basin for tool and hand washing, connected to a proper drainage system. g) Stainless metal tables for aeration and packing of halwa. 41 Second: Display and sale place with the following specifications: a) The floor shall be covered with non-slip tiles and the walls and ceiling shall be coated with light oil paint. b) Wooden shelves or containers with glass shelves for placing halwa packages. c) Air-conditioners. Third: Raw materials and packages store with the following specifications: a) The floor shall be covered with suitable tiles, and the walls and ceiling shall be coated with light oil paint. b) Tables of 30 cm height for placing raw material packages used in processing and shelves for placing empty packages used in packaging halwa. c) A swing door separating the store from the halwa processing hall. Article (4): Raw materials used in halwa processing shall be clean and suitable for consumption and the water used in processing shall conform to the Sultanate potable water standards. Article (5): Boilers and tools used in processing shall be made of stainless metal not interacting with halwa and its contents. Article (6): Materials used for packaging halwa shall not interact with halwa and the containers or wrapping shall be clean and of an approved type. Article (7): Sufficient light, electric shock insect traps and devices preventing the entry of rodents shall be installed. Article (8): Every person working in the factory shall have a valid health card issued by the concerned authority and such persons shall be medically examined once every year or whenever necessary. Article (9): Workers shall wear the same uniform, caps and boots. They shall always be clean. Article ( 10): A First Aid Kit shall be provided. 42 Article {II): Workers shall be provided with a water closet with proper drainage and the door shall not open directly into the factory facilities. It shall include a flush lavatory, a side tap, a basin for washing hands, exhaust fan, I iquid soap and tissue paper. Article ( I 2): The requirements of the Directorate-General of Civil Defence, ROP shall be adhered to. 43