15 replies to this topic

[D-D]

I need to get a cheap and cheerful metal detector to confirm our blue plasters are detectable. Anyone have any suggestions?
We do not use metal detection but I was told by a customer auditor that we still need to do this as many of our customers do have detectors.

[saguym]

I need to get a cheap and cheerful metal detector to confirm our blue plasters are detectable. Anyone have any suggestions?
We do not use metal detection but I was told by a customer auditor that we still need to do this as many of our customers do have detectors.

To buy a metal detector just for plasters it wil be nonsense.
If your customers do use metal detectors, you can take a sample of each batch of blue plasters you have purchased and test them on the calibrated metal detector of your customer. Make a record of each test providing customer name ,address and line ,metal type calibration tools and sensetivity, results, day of test batch plasters number, test results etc, and bring the record as an evidence to your auditor. If your test will be combined with a costumer product, you will have the ultimate proof that the test is relevant.

Being a qualified auditor for BRC and BRC/IOP I defenitely would accept such an objective evidence.

success

saguym

[Anne Z]

Hi


We don't have metal detectors either. Always an issue during customer audits, but when I explain that there are filters they are fine with it.
A filter also makes sure the bandage is removed.

Don't buy a metal detector for an auditor. Only buy it if you have reason to. Are there many lost bandages? No filters etc.

Anne

[D-D]

Interesting; thanks both.
saguym: The customer auditor I mentioned offered to do this for us.
but...
Anne Z: This is my usual defence. We have a CCP that requires everything to be filtered (10 micron to 1 mm screen size) and this of course would deal with any plaster in the product.

[Madam A. D-tor]

Dear D-D,

I agree with Saygum that it is nonsense to buy a metal detector for checking plasters.
I also agree with you, that having metal detector is less relevant when everything is filtered (I do not know if contamination will still be possible in your filling process)

You can also check your plasters by remove the white bandage of the plaster and see if there is a metal foil. usually it is 1 cm X 1 cm and will be big enough to be detected.

[MOOCHIE]

We don't have a metal detector either, we are BRC accredited, we have just been audited by a customer who supplies to Tesco and M&S no metal detector or that we don't check the plasters are detectable wasn't an issue, they were happy that we had a plaster register.

[Esther]

We don't have a metal detector either, we are BRC accredited, we have just been audited by a customer who supplies to Tesco and M&S no metal detector or that we don't check the plasters are detectable wasn't an issue, they were happy that we had a plaster register.

Moochie

Congratulations!

Common sense in place!

Why do complicated things if the simple one can get the same result! The power of simplyness! A miss that many times!

In line with this topic I would like to make a question to other auditors. What would you do if you are in a plant, using metal plasters, with no filters and no metal detection on the line. The company says that all of its clients have an metal detector in place and all of them have been informed and, moreover, this piece of information is writting down in the technical document of the product. The clients are happy with that.
What would you do?

Regards
Esther

[Madam A. D-tor]

In line with this topic I would like to make a question to other auditors. What would you do if you are in a plant, using metal plasters, with no filters and no metal detection on the line. The company says that all of its clients have an metal detector in place and all of them have been informed and, moreover, this piece of information is writting down in the technical document of the product. The clients are happy with that.
What would you do?

For BRC this would prove that the plant comply with 7.3.8: providing blue metal detectable plasters and a N/A for 7.3.9 not having a metal detector, so plasters do can not be checked.
For as long as your question refers to metal detection of plasters.

I find it very hard to audit for plaster register. What exactly are you recording: only the providing of the plaster or also the taking of the used plaster? What guarantees do you have if you only register the providing of the plasters? do you really want to take in used plasters?

There is one thing that I do consider as a risk regarding the use of blue plasters. Some people are still using blue plasters to cover face piercings. It was allowed in issue 4, but not in issue 5. However I still see faces with blue plasters in some companies. These people just refuse to take off there piercings. They use to cut a blue piece of the plaster to cover the piercing. Approximately 5mm X 5mm. This piece, of course, does not include a metal strip and is very small. It is possible that this piece of blue plaster keeps unnoticed in the products.
It is hard to convince people of this hazard.

[Anne Z]

Madam A. D-tor,

Good point about the plasters and piercings.
I think it's hard to keep a record of all the plasters as well. The start is there registrating what goes out. Nice to know if you're refilling the plasters or to know how many accidents there are.

[D-D]

There is one thing that I do consider as a risk regarding the use of blue plasters. Some people are still using blue plasters to cover face piercings. It was allowed in issue 4, but not in issue 5.

Issue 6 says no piercings in exposed parts of the body so I guess either these people will need to take them out while working or work elsewhere...?

Edited by D-D, 18 July 2011 - 11:31 AM.

[GMO]

As one of the PP said, I would take one to your customers. It's pointless to check plasters through a MD you won't be using as it might not be comparable to your customers ones anyway.

As for plasters over piercings, grrr! A particular pet hate of mine. It doesn't help at all and IMO introduces another hazard. Complete waste of time! It would seem with version 6 all visible piercings will be outlawed anyway.

[Madam A. D-tor]

Issue 6 says no pirecings in exposed parts of the body so I guess either these people will need to take them out while working or work elsewhere...?

Yes.
The same text is also already included in issue 5 [... Rings and studs in exposed parts of the body, such as noses, tongues and eyebrows, shall not be worn...].

[GMO]

Yes.
The same text is also already included in issue 5 [... Rings and studs in exposed parts of the body, such as noses, tongues and eyebrows, shall not be worn...].

But it still permits sleeper earrings. I see that's gone for the draft of version 6. Blooming good too! Why anyone feels they 'have' to wear earrings is beyond me.

[Esther]

For BRC this would prove that the plant comply with 7.3.8: providing blue metal detectable plasters and a N/A for 7.3.9 not having a metal detector, so plasters do can not be checked.
For as long as your question refers to metal detection of plasters.

I find it very hard to audit for plaster register. What exactly are you recording: only the providing of the plaster or also the taking of the used plaster? What guarantees do you have if you only register the providing of the plasters? do you really want to take in used plasters?

There is one thing that I do consider as a risk regarding the use of blue plasters. Some people are still using blue plasters to cover face piercings. It was allowed in issue 4, but not in issue 5. However I still see faces with blue plasters in some companies. These people just refuse to take off there piercings. They use to cut a blue piece of the plaster to cover the piercing. Approximately 5mm X 5mm. This piece, of course, does not include a metal strip and is very small. It is possible that this piece of blue plaster keeps unnoticed in the products.
It is hard to convince people of this hazard.

Hello Madam A.D.tor

Thank you for your answer.I think it is quite objective.

IF I am not mistaken you would not penalize that requirement in the said scenario although you have your own concerns.

Imagine that the plant is registering how many and to who the plasters are given and the plasters returned. It should be ok. Moreover if the compliants relating this issue are from the client irrelevant or zero.

REgards
Esther

[Esther]

But it still permits sleeper earrings. I see that's gone for the draft of version 6. Blooming good too! Why anyone feels they 'have' to wear earrings is beyond me.

Hello all

I have a weird question but I hope you can help me.

What do you mean exacty by " sleeper earrings"? Just I am trying to fing the spanish word.

Thank you

Regards
ESther

[Madam A. D-tor]

IF I am not mistaken you would not penalize that requirement in the said scenario although you have your own concerns.

correct!

What do you mean exacty by " sleeper earrings"? Just I am trying to fing the spanish word.

I can not help you with the Spanish word. Google translate is not working. Sleeper earrings are those small earrings, from one piece, that can not fall out. It is also very hard to get them in.
 zweerringetjes.jpg   1.5KB   4 downloads