10 replies to this topic

[teioh3]

I work for a flour mill that is working towards BRC. If the production areas are low-risk and semi-enclosed, should employees be expected to removal their uniforms whenever they enter washrooms/lunch rooms, or go for a smoke? Or is this requirement mandatory regardless of risk levels?

Thanks

[teioh3]

dont see any way to edit my post above but, i just want to mention that the above requirements seems a little hard for our current situation since the employees are required to wear one-piece coveralls by our oversea parent company....they will be more of a hassle to remove before going to washrooms etc....

[Charles.C]

dont see any way to edit my post above but, i just want to mention that the above requirements seems a little hard for our current situation since the employees are required to wear one-piece coveralls by our oversea parent company....they will be more of a hassle to remove before going to washrooms etc....

Dear teioh,

Thks for post and Welcome to the forum !
Nice avatar but a little blurry ?

As might have been expected, the BRC "clothing" related clauses / procedures have generated a large number of requests for clarification, implementation, etc.

Some similar queries to yr own have previously appeared. Apart from the area risk level itself, some relevant associated factors are working temperatures, products, types of uniform (eg 1-piece, 2-piece, overgarment, etc).

A variety of appropriate responses exists here including scenarios such as yr own which is obviously a "tricky" one (I can recall an inspection [not BRC] of a battermix plant where all the workers were uniformly wearing T-shirts due approx. 40degC environment and minimal air circulation). Would clearly have been incompatible with seeming expectations of 4.7.1 as written. "Regulatory" health issues seemed another possible factor IMO.

AFAI can see there (so far) seems to be no specific conclusion as to what BRC / auditors have actually demanded in a generic sense. Some posters recommend risk assessment as a justification for perceivable deviations from the letter of the standard. Rather ironic in a BRC context perhaps.

Further current input / experiences only too welcome however these related threads may give some (fairly recent) helpful insights (in decreasing chronological order) -

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__53332

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__58445 (SLIGHTLY OFF CURRENT PROBLEM POST)

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__51350 (HIGH RISK ORIENTED)

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__47505

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__40414

Rgds / Charles.C

PS @teioh, if you wish to edit there should be a visible edit button at bottom off post ? Just click it. can always cancel after if you change yr mind.

[Charles Chew]

Hi Teioh

Being a prescriptive Standard, the removal of uniform before "........" is a specific requirement of the BRC Standard. Of course, any exemption contrary to specified requirements need to be justified and its up to the auditor to accept the justifications under the exemption listing. Having said that - may I ask what is the original intention of your workers donning the uniform?

[matthewcc]

Dear teioh,

Thks for post and Welcome to the forum !
Nice avatar but a little blurry ?

As might have been expected, the BRC "clothing" related clauses / procedures have generated a large number of requests for clarification, implementation, etc.

Some similar queries to yr own have previously appeared. Apart from the area risk level itself, some relevant associated factors are working temperatures, products, types of uniform (eg 1-piece, 2-piece, overgarment, etc).

A variety of appropriate responses exists here including scenarios such as yr own which is obviously a "tricky" one (I can recall an inspection [not BRC] of a battermix plant where all the workers were uniformly wearing T-shirts due approx. 40degC environment and minimal air circulation). Would clearly have been incompatible with seeming expectations of 4.7.1 as written. "Regulatory" health issues seemed another possible factor IMO.

AFAI can see there (so far) seems to be no specific conclusion as to what BRC / auditors have actually demanded in a generic sense. Some posters recommend risk assessment as a justification for perceivable deviations from the letter of the standard. Rather ironic in a BRC context perhaps.

Further current input / experiences only too welcome however these related threads may give some (fairly recent) helpful insights (in decreasing chronological order) -

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__53332

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__58445 (SLIGHTLY OFF CURRENT PROBLEM POST)

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__51350 (HIGH RISK ORIENTED)

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__47505

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__40414

Rgds / Charles.C

PS @teioh, if you wish to edit there should be a visible edit button at bottom off post ? Just click it. can always cancel after if you change yr mind.

 

Dear Charles,

 

Would you be able to provide a reference or references to specific sections of BRC and/or US FDA GMP's for food manufacturing?  I know this will come up as we implement this requirement & will help answer the "why?" questions.

 

Thank you,

Matthew

 

Never mind, I found it.

21 CFR 110.10

21 CFR 111.10

Of course BRC 7.4.1 is mentioned in the heading.

Edited by matthewcc, 31 March 2014 - 05:18 PM.

[Charles.C]

Dear matthewcc,

 

No problem. Glad you solved yr query.

 

I also frequently miss data in the headings. And standards.

 

Rgds / Charles.C

[GMO]

I used to work in bakery where staff wore trousers and tops.  We insisted they removed clothing and changed.  It was tough but the customers wanted it as well.

[debaduttajayaprakash]

Removal of coverall is necessary before going to wash room, smoking or outside the production area to reduce cross contamination. 

its better you should reconsider the coverall . instead of one piece suit you better go for washable coats ,which can be re used and changes need to be made as per your own risk assessment.

Operator working in milling can wear disposable cover all and they are cheap and no compromise with your mother company uniform policy. 

[GMO]

I agree with the PP.  A flour mill isn't anywhere near the temperature of a bread plant, however, for some reason (not sure why) old fashioned tshirts and trousers are still common.  A coat would be easier to enforce changing.

[debaduttajayaprakash]

go for disposable cover all . We use them and they are cheap . 

[Dharmadi Sadeli Putra]

Basically it's about the convenience and cost, but the rule is have to remove the uniform (eg. disposable or re-use cover all) before leaving processing area