[Witek]

Hi
I'm a beer producer. We had an audit which we lost because of "glass".

Auditor said that we should have covers on the lamps in the production area and in the warehouse. We bought the covers in the production area but not in the warehouse beacuse the product is in the cans or in the bottlles so there is not possibility that glass will get to the beer. We suggest to make the document where we will write when the glass will be broken. Do you think is enough? Can you help us what we should do? Maybe somebody has some experience with something like that?

Another problem was with the glass on the bottling line. Very often the glass is on the floor. He said that we should make a dokument in which we will write when and where the bottle was damaged. It happened very often so we would have to hire staff which will do only this?
Does anybode has any experience with this topic?

Thanks
Witek

[Madam A. D-tor]

Dear Witek,

Can you tell us, against which standard the audit is conducted?

[Witek]

Madam A. D-tor, on Apr 24 2008, 09:36 AM, said:

Dear Witek,

Can you tell us, against which standard the audit is conducted?

It was about product safety. That there are some danger that the glass can get to the product?

[Charles.C]

Dear Witek,

I think Madam A. D-tor meant which specific standard, eg BRC IFN etc.

Sorry for my non-understanding but I didn't quite understand some of yr post -

Quote

Very often the glass is on the floor.

Do you mean broken glass ? If so, is there a reason for the common occurrence ? I hv no experience in glass processing but this seems unusual ? My first priority would be to reduce the frequency if this is possible.?

Regarding lights covers, it depends on the standard maybe but IMEX, covers are expected in all functions of the factory from all entries to all exits. Hv had more arguments concerning workshop lighting which IMO should be treated the same even if detached from main production unit.

Rgds / Charles.C

[Simon]

Even if the product is sealed and covered in the warehouse, broken glass could be carried on pallets and packaging directly into your customers factory / warehouse / retail outlet - and you don't want that. Glass control is a fact of life in the food and beverage industries. As to your production line if your getting regular glass breakages ou need to know how often and why or you'll never improve the situation.

Regards,
Simon

[GMO]

I agree. It's amazing how something which can seem safely on the floor can end up in a product.

In all food factories I have worked in, we have had fluorescent light tubes covered with a plastic cover in all areas of the factory - even offices.

I have visited a factory which used glass packaging and every time there was a breakage, the machine would be stopped and the glass cleaned up and accounted for and all product which could be affected thrown away.

Charles C is right. First find out why you're getting the broken bottles. I guess they might be reused bottles? In which case, they will need a good inspection before going to be washed and a thorough inspection before going onto the line.

I think if you are having this level of glass breakage, you need to review your HACCP and your controls of glass. This really could be a danger. Lots of people drink beer directly out of the bottle so imagine if there was glass in there?

I think your topic title is a bit dismissive - it isn't just politics, it's about protecting people.

[Witek]

Thank you for your aswers.
This is difficult for us to avoid broken glass in bottling line because because we produce beer in returnable bottles so sometimes they are not enough strong. They very often broke during the filling process.

Kind Regards
Witek

[EuGeNe]

Hi Witek,

Perhaps having some quality checking on the reused bottles before they are filled with beer could help? Cracks and chippings could be the first steps to breaking during handling.

Regarding warehouse lights covering, if your warehouse is attached or connected to your processing area, it is highly recommended for lights to be covered. If however it is detached or not connected, it is not as vital. The strictness of the auditor and the standard audited will affect this judgement too.

Of course, if budget permits, it is safest to have all lights covered.


Rgds,
Eugene

This post has been edited by EuGeNe: 05 May 2008 - 03:06 AM