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BRC Clothing for Low Risk Areas

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auditqa

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Posted 11 May 2018 - 02:36 PM

Hello,

 

I am having difficulties implementing a clothing policy under BRC. We are a low risk facility but I have implemented coveralls inside production areas and removal of them if going to washroom, outside and lunch breaks. However it seems that other milling facilities don't do the same and wear their coveralls everywhere.

 

Therefore I am having trouble with employees adhering to the policy and I don't want to make things more complicated if I don't have to.

Anyone in the milling company that can share their clothing/footwear policy? Is it really necessary to change coveralls if going outside production facility?

 

Thank you,

 

 



jdpaul

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Posted 11 May 2018 - 02:41 PM

I guess you would ask yourself if it is necessary to avoid contamination of any sort in your processes



Scampi

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Posted 11 May 2018 - 03:40 PM

Have you performed a risk assessment on the clothing? If there is a low risk (even if they get worn outside) then perhaps you could relax your stance a little


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redfox

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Posted 12 May 2018 - 12:36 AM

Hello,

 

IMO, uniform inside production must not be worn outside. The risk of contaminating your product is too high. Especially allergens, dust, wood particles and insect parts that may adhere on the uniform and pass it on to your product.

 

If you allow them to wear it outside production area you have to watch them they would not bring it to the toilet. It doesn't mean that if company X is doing so, you will follow even if it puts you at risk. 

 

Assume that you can't do it overnight. Just be consistent in implementing.

 

regards,



Jim E.

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Posted 31 May 2018 - 02:52 PM

A company policy is a company policy.  You train the team why it is mandatory and outline the expectations.  If they do not follow the procedure you sit them down and discuss. If they continue you take the next appropriate steps.  In our company even from plant to plant the dress code varies but you come to our facility you follow our rules.  A risk assessment is the best place to start then you have your base to start.  It does take some time I know to get the old school out of the system when agreement and buy-in is not 100%.



susangopher

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Posted 31 May 2018 - 03:09 PM

We have always used smock (or apron) in our high care and low risk areas.  I had hooks installed in the high-care area which must be used for the smocks or aprons when they leave the area for restroom or lunch.  We do not do laundry either, so employees are asked to bring their clean smocks back to the plant in a plastic bag to prevent any contamination after they launder them.



Scampi

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Posted 31 May 2018 - 06:19 PM

I has been my experience that PPE should not go home. Even if it's in a plastic bag when it returns, you cannot guarantee that it is clean, particularly for high care


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susangopher

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Posted 31 May 2018 - 06:27 PM

We may very well get pushed into an in-house laundry program by BRC, but we are low risk, even in our High care area, so we have written our clothing care protocol to allow home laundering for now.  We box nuts in wholesale size packaging.



Scampi

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Posted 31 May 2018 - 06:39 PM

Oh, then that makes total sense!  A note of caution, BRC will probably want you to validate you inhouse laundry for cleanliness (i/e swabbing coats and the machines, monitoring detergent et all) so it may be easier to farm out laundry should it come to that


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susangopher

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Posted 31 May 2018 - 09:06 PM

Thank You, Scampi- I expect you are right.  We are thinking of moving our laundry facility for towels, etc. to a new place and then probably implementing an in-house protocol for uniform PPEs.  As we are getting more and more consultations in these next few months before being certified, I'm sure a decision will need to be made about Laundry services vs. In-house protocols.  I'm just getting everyone used to taking them off before going to the bathroom!  :spoton: :headhurts:





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