2 replies to this topic

[xiang zhang]

We are working on SQF 2000 level 2 and I have a concern about the glass in our maintenance shop. I was told that those glass is wire glass and would not fall into pieces when broken, but I'm still not sure if I need put shatter-proof film on them. Do anybody here have experience on that?
The SQF code said glass in food handling/contact zones shall be shatterproof. Is maintenance shop included in food handling/contact zones?
I have met two auditors, one said maintenance shop is production area and the other said it is not. Based on my understanding, food production area>food handling/contact zones>food processing area. Am I right?

[Simon]

Hello xiang zhang,

From a practical viewpoint I would say wired glass breaks less easily than ordinary glass; also if it were broken the glass fragments should be quite well contained. That is good and minimises the risk of product contamination.

Also if there is no open or exposed product in the maintenance shop then this would be another mitigating factor that lowers the risk further. In addition if the maintenance shop is separated physically from the main production area again this lowers the risk further still.

The residual risk then is low and the only opportunity for product contamination from broken glass being transferred from the maintenance window to production and then to product is as far as I can see by way of a person such as engineer or someone that passes through the area on route to the food processing area.

I would say the likelihood of product contamination via this route is very low and should be able to be controlled by way of an effective glass breakage procedure within the maintenance shop.

From what you have told us in my opinion the maintenance shop is not a food processing area.

Regards,
Simon

[Charles.C]

Dear xiang zhang,

You may also meet a similar problem regarding protection of the lights. Some auditors demand protection of the fluorescent tubes in all locations in the facility. I agreed with the auditors, naturally the engineers didn't.

Rgds / Charles.C