I agree, clauses like this are confusing at first, but they also are a great chance to find a simple solution to the problem, it one exists.Basically these clauses mean: 'Do what you deem necessary, but be sure you can explain to the auditor, why the measures you have taken are adequate.'
A risk assessment for the cleaning of protective clothing (much to the tune of: ' What will happen/go wrong, if...?') should provide enough insight into the requirements of the company to enable a working (and easy to implement) policy to be drawn up.
So: Risk assessment: Protective clothes after use are dirty and contaminated and must not come in contact with clean garments. The policy should state: 'Dirty garments must not be carried in the container for clean clothes.'
Environmental sources of contamination may render protective clothing unfit for use, so container must protect clothing from environmental influences (unsealed plastic bag is not suited, sealed plastic bag might be ok).
If container needs to be re-usable, it has to be washable itself, made from sturdy material that is suited to protect from external influences ...
It is important to emphasize that carriers must not be used for prolonged storage of clothing to prevent outgrowth of bacterial spores and growth of spoilage organisms due to residual moisture that may be present in garments.
Generally:
IMHO, the biggest problem in home-care for protective clothing is the fact that cleaning standards can not be effectively monitored (private premises can not be audited for compliance, of course). How can you be sure, your employees do not decide to wash their protective garments together with their underwear and dirty towels (both usually washed hot >60ºC) to save time and energy or to fill the machine?
Swabbing of washed clothing is a valid way of detecting contamination on protective clothing. Depending on the scale of the organisation, this can become very cost-intensive. The biggest drawback of this method is, however, that results are not readily available, so who will tell you that the clothes the employee wears are clean before the test results are in? What about swabing frequencies? Does every batch of every employee have to be swabbed or is a sampling plan (randomised sample every day or every week) enough to generate the safety-level that is required? This seems to be a never ending story.
I advocate a managed laundry service, be it in house or sourced-out, to avoid uncontrollable risks. Any suitably trained professional cleaner can provide this service. By controlling the laundering process and by centrailsing transportation of cleaned clothes, a lot of potential problems can be avoided.
Regards,
Matt