7 replies to this topic

[Nick B]

Hello, we are in the process of moving from an AIB GMP audit to BRC Packaging for the high-risk standard. We have only used hand sanitizer in our production area under AIB and are planning on installing a handwash sink immediately upon entering the main production entrance.

 

Does anyone have any experience or advise if it is necessary or best practice to have a hands-free sink involving the BRC standard under the high-risk category?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Charles.C]

Hello, we are in the process of moving from an AIB GMP audit to BRC Packaging for the high-risk standard. We have only used hand sanitizer in our production area under AIB and are planning on installing a handwash sink immediately upon entering the main production entrance.

 

Does anyone have any experience or advise if it is necessary or best practice to have a hands-free sink involving the BRC standard under the high-risk category?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

4.8.6

Suitable and sufficient hand-washing facilities shall be provided at access to, and at other appropriate
points within, production areas. Such hand-washing facilities shall provide as a minimum:
•  advisory signs to prompt hand-washing
•  a sufficient quantity of water at a suitable temperature
•  water taps with hands-free operation
•  liquid/foam soap
•  single-use towels or suitably designed and located air driers.

 

So yes unilaterally.

[Charles.C]

addendum

 

Sorry. i missed the "packaging". My quote was for Food.

 

The Packaging Standard appears to say Nothing, even for the toilets, so presumably that is what is expected. Nonetheless customers might think otherwise ?

 

I also noticed this -

 

sufficient quantity of water at a suitable temperature to encourage hand washing

Sounds like an admission of defeat.

Edited by Charles.C, 12 July 2017 - 04:48 PM.
edited

[beautiophile]

Clause 6.2.2 in Issue 5 (High hygiene): Hand washing shall be performed on entry to the production areas and at a frequency that is appropriate to minimise the risk of product contamination.
 

It means you'd better equip sinks (maybe dryers also) at the entrance of production area .

But inside, there should be water supply for eyewash & dilution in case of labour incidents (e.g. chemical spillage). 

[Charles.C]

Clause 6.2.2 in Issue 5 (High hygiene): Hand washing shall be performed on entry to the production areas and at a frequency that is appropriate to minimise the risk of product contamination.
 

It means you'd better equip sinks (maybe dryers also) at the entrance of production area .

But inside, there should be water supply for eyewash & dilution in case of labour incidents (e.g. chemical spillage). 

 

Hi beautiophile,

 

Thks for the input but you maybe missed the main query ?

[GMO]

Hello, we are in the process of moving from an AIB GMP audit to BRC Packaging for the high-risk standard. We have only used hand sanitizer in our production area under AIB and are planning on installing a handwash sink immediately upon entering the main production entrance.

 

Does anyone have any experience or advise if it is necessary or best practice to have a hands-free sink involving the BRC standard under the high-risk category?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Not necessarily a requirement but certainly best practice.  They come in a variety of styles; the simplest is the elbow operated ones traditionally used in hospitals but they are easily hand operated in error.  I'd go for knee operated (only downside is sometimes the knee pads leak after a while) or sensor operated (only downside is oddly the sensors often run from batteries so eventually run out.)  They all have their downsides but I never see the point of having a hand operated sink as you're then switching the tap on with dirty hands then recontaminating your clean hands as you switch it off.

[alismith04]

Nick - here is information related to a great automated handwashing system option for your consideration: www.meritech.com

 

[FurFarmandFork]

Nick - here is information related to a great automated handwashing system option for your consideration: www.meritech.com

I'm actually a big fan of these systems for some environments. But keep in mind they're essentially hand sanitizers, not washers. If you have dirt or grease on your hands you still need to manually wash first. Meritech admits that they aren't intended to remove gross soils, but work well for "handwashes" after you handle a NPC surface or pallet for example, or at entrance to the plant.

 

Greasy hands from working with plastics equipment is not a great fit for these.