"We are among the cleanest harvesting plants in the country!"
“We are proud to be among the cleanest harvesting plants in the country,” he says.
Good cleaning is essential
The hygiene team works while the rest of us sleep. Water and soap suds, and hygiene technicians dressed in solid, waterproof suits are a regular feature every single night at the harvesting plant. For seven to eight hours, they clean and disinfect all equipment and surfaces. This is how they prepare for the next day's food production. Equipment is disassembled and washed.
“Our main task is to ensure clean production premises and prevent bacterial spread. We plan and carry out the cleaning in the factory,” says Radu.
Good working enviroment
Radu started as a substitute in production at theharvesting plant Simanes in 2013. He moved to Alta from his hometown of Bucharest in Romania in 2011 to study Norwegian language and culture at the University of Alta. He was already trained as a communications technician, but the plan was to obtain a business education in Norway. During his studies, he worked as a substitute at the harvesting plant.
“Eventually I was offered permanent job as a hygiene technician, so I put my studies on hold. It was a good and exciting job in a good working environment. And with a good working environment, you also get good results.”
The job is displayed at the micro level
Achieving results trigger the former, professional rugby player. In food production, cleaning is crucial for food safety, and the quality systems in the company involve measurements and tests every single day. The hygiene team's performance is evident on a micro level through sampling of surfaces and equipment, bacterial tests and other daily analyzes.
“As such, we document that we do an important job, and we work for good results every day. The listeria bacterium is the biggest nightmare of all food producers. Therefore, we dismantle production equipment during the shift, to ensure that all nooks and crannies are clean. We have good control.”
Hungry for bigger tasks
Responsibility challenges and stimulates Radu.
“It is important to want something more and develop. This is an important reason to get up in the morning!”
And after six years in the hygiene team, he is hungry for more and bigger tasks.
“The knowledge I have gained from work and management of the hygiene team cannot be purchased. It comes from experience and practice. I plan to continue my education. I want to use more of my skills,” he says.
Mountain bike and nature
Radu has lived in Alta for almost ten years, and he has no plans to leave the city. While the job in the seafood industry is important, so is his free time with his partner and dog.
“It is great to live here with great opportunities for many activities in nature. I just started mountain biking. The nature is fantastic! There are great bike trails everywhere in the terrain. Imagine participating in Off Road Finnmark one day? A little more training and focus, then it should be possible!”