3 replies to this topic

[ajrfrank]

BRC food v6 stands on 4.7.2 that where risk of contamination by foreign bodys exists, arising from equipment damage, it shall be inspected at predetermined intervals. Due to findings of nuts and bolts on the X ray machine inspections, a checklist of nuts, bolts and moving parts has been requested by QA as a tool to determine where that bolt is missing. Does anybody have a sample of checklist for this kind of inspections? How would you meet this requirement?

[Chris @ Safefood 360°]

As opposed to relying only on a checklist and the diligence of an employee to walk around and put tick marks down a checklist, I would imagine that a true root cause analysis of why metal objects are making it to the X-Ray machine in the first place, and implementing appropriate corrective or preventive action might be a more practical approach. An X-Ray machine is a great indicator that your upstream systems of contamination control are working effectively (or not).

[ajrfrank]

QA has requested this checklist because we haven't found yet the machinery where that bolt fell from. Preventive actions include prohibition of other personnel but maintenance to enter in workshops where this pieces can be found in stock, carrying tool bags for their instruments and thoroughly checkings that everything was tight.

[Chris @ Safefood 360°]

The good thing is that your X-Ray unit found it! The bad thing is - you don't know where it came from. Even if you have a dedicated parts room emloyee who knows every piece of equipment, tool, and part inside out it can be impossible to look at a bolt and determine where it came from. I would consider working backwards from the point at which you found the FM (X-ray machine). Using common sense, you can quickly check off the areas where it would be impossible for the bolt to have originated because of a filter/screen or engineering that would prevent it from heading downstream. It may take a bit of time and stick-to-it-iveness, but you may eventually locate it. I wish you the best of luck.

Controlled access to your maintenance shops is a great standard procedure to have in place - and enforce! In addition, control over the parts/tools that mechanic might take to a repair job is also crucial. A post-maintenance check sheet that includes an accounting of tools/parts/etc. (and possible sanitation following depending upon the risk) is a good method of verification.

Can anyone offer ajrfrank a simpler solution to finding where a bolt may have come from? Interested to hear feedback.