Example of risk analysis...First SQF certification audit

We are currently going through the process of getting our first SQF certification. Level 2 for Meat Processing. We had our GAP audit a few weeks ago and are working to get everything done. One of the big concerns at our facility is related to our floors. They are in need of repairs, but our GAP auditor let us know that if repairing them was not an option-we could do a risk analysis to verify and validate how we are meeting the code (she provided some general guidance related to increased cleaning/sanitation, increased testing-listeria, ect.,) We have an understanding of what is needed-what we dont have is an idea of what exactly the risk analysis looks like on paper-
I have attempted to locate a generic template, or format-but cant seem to locate anything.
Does anyone know where we might me able to locate a sample RISK ANALYSIS?
I browse these forums often and everyone is always so helpful-I am hoping you can help me! :)

Here's an example of a simple risk assessment template (Risk Rating could be determined by a Risk Analysis Matrix):


GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT

Establishment:

Assessment by:

Date:

Review Date:

Approved by:

Date:

Hazard / Risk

Who is at Risk?

Initial Risk Rating

Normal Control Measures

(Brief description and/or reference to source of information).

Are Control Measures In Place?

Y/N/NA

Additional Control Measures

(to take account of local/individual circumstances).

REVIEWS:

REVIEWED BY:
Who carried out the review?

COMMENTS:
Record any comments reviewer wishes to make. Including recommendations for future reviews.

DATE OF REVIEW:

COMMENTS:

Dear mrsflamer,

Yr nom-de-plume is slightly anxiety-making and i am not myself a user of SQF, but hopefully this contribution will not be too catalytic.

Actually you might have been more successful by searching for "risk assessment". This is probably one of the most popular topics on this forum.

You don’t mention what/how you are processing which could be relevant.

The primary components of the program you mention will be cleaning procedure / frequency of application. The choice for each will be logically based on safety risk from things like what you are processing, how, where, by whom (??), etc. This is risk assessment. The (preliminary) evidence / support for the choices made typically constitutes validation. The confirmation from subsequent routine process measurements that yr choice was correct will be verification. (Unfortunately previous posts here have demonstrated that SQF [at least the 2000 version anyway] had some weird aspects within its interpretation of Va/Ve which deviated somewhat from the, IMEX, more common views. A slight caveat emptor).

IMEX, preliminary (data-based) validations are not so common. If yet required, would be necessary to carry out a preliminary, small-scale, pseudo “verification” of the overall situation based on qualitative prediction (intuition?) combined with some data. This is then subsequently honed further based on routine microbiological measurements for classic verification.

Some, IMO, useful links to discussions of RA with various examples (but not specifically tied to SQF) are –

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__24125

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__32862

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__47657

There are probably some specifically for SQF also (somewhere).

As a supplement to previous nice post and for your specific query, I just now put together this ultra-basic, short excel example to illustrate a possible introductory RA approach. The conceptual basis will no doubt be self-evident (I can probably find a link to the simple haccp matrix which I hv slightly borrowed if you are further interested). You will see my use of “slash” and “dash” is not quite internally consistent but I think the idea is clear enough. I predict that SQF are not expecting anything more subtle than this for your central concept, probably a lot less (disagreements welcome ). You can compare the layout to the various examples in preceding links. Any implementation IMO will typically offer a personal (subjective) choice of going for maximum resulting simplicity (eg convenience) or trying to be “intricate”, I suggest the former is preferable for initial purposes. (But it may depend on yr process / regulatory issues).
The verification will then typically follow routine introduction of the program (unless SQF are still being tricky somehow).

simple example2 of RA for a cleaning program.xls   15KB   706 downloads

Rgds / Charles.C

We are currently going through the process of getting our first SQF certification. Level 2 for Meat Processing. We had our GAP audit a few weeks ago and are working to get everything done. One of the big concerns at our facility is related to our floors. They are in need of repairs, but our GAP auditor let us know that if repairing them was not an option-we could do a risk analysis to verify and validate how we are meeting the code (she provided some general guidance related to increased cleaning/sanitation, increased testing-listeria, ect.,) We have an understanding of what is needed-what we dont have is an idea of what exactly the risk analysis looks like on paper-
I have attempted to locate a generic template, or format-but cant seem to locate anything.
Does anyone know where we might me able to locate a sample RISK ANALYSIS?
I browse these forums often and everyone is always so helpful-I am hoping you can help me! :)

Hi MrsFlamer,



Some more information would be useful as it will help generate a risk assessment:

Please confirm we are talking about cooked meats and a brief description of the process?
What sort of flooring do you have and what repairs are needed?
Is anything stored on the floor?
Have you considered what is the potential for contamination of the product from the floor such as splashing from washdown during production?
You have cleaning regime for the floor?
You regularly swab the floor for pathogens and you do not find any?

Regards,

Tony

Thanks for the feedback. just to clarify on the floors.
we are a very old facility and our concrete floors have many cracks, areas of damage, etc. They DO NOT MEET the standard for SQF cerficication. Our GAP auditor explained that we have 2 options-either repair the flooring to meet the code-or complete a risk analysis and provide the information on how we intended to verify and validate that our processess ensure we are still able to provide safe, quality food.
we have both RTE and RAW areas in the facility.
so, when i make reference to a risk analysis/assessment-it is for the purpose of the situations when our current status does not meet the code.
We may end up simply repairing the floors-time will tell, but I was trying to see what a risk analysis physically looks like. Hopefully that helps ?

Also, my name is mrsflamer-as I married a man whose last name is FLAMER-so, i got stuck with it :)
i tend to use mrsflamer failry often as it is not a name that is already taken :)

Thanks for the feedback. just to clarify on the floors.
we are a very old facility and our concrete floors have many cracks, areas of damage, etc. They DO NOT MEET the standard for SQF cerficication. Our GAP auditor explained that we have 2 options-either repair the flooring to meet the code-or complete a risk analysis and provide the information on how we intended to verify and validate that our processess ensure we are still able to provide safe, quality food.
we have both RTE and RAW areas in the facility.
so, when i make reference to a risk analysis/assessment-it is for the purpose of the situations when our current status does not meet the code.
We may end up simply repairing the floors-time will tell, but I was trying to see what a risk analysis physically looks like. Hopefully that helps ?

Also, my name is mrsflamer-as I married a man whose last name is FLAMER-so, i got stuck with it :)
i tend to use mrsflamer failry often as it is not a name that is already taken :)

Hi Mrs Flamer

Great name!

You can have a risk assessment template that is based on probability x severity = significance but I don't think this will help you enough in these circumstances.

Please answer the questions posted earlier as it will help generate a risk assessment template for you:
Is anything stored on the floor?
Have you considered what is the potential for contamination of the product from the floor such as splashing from washdown during production?
You have cleaning regime for the floor?
You regularly swab the floor for pathogens and you do not find any?

Regards,

Tony

Dear Mrs Flamer,

Thks for clarification. Don’t suppose yr partner’s name is Ian by any chance.?

Concrete floors with age difficulties are a very common phenomenon. IMEX the safety risk can often vary from unmentionable to borderline. I daresay you already know whether a worthwhile defence is feasible.

I don’t know how in-depth yr current auditor / SQF is requiring but I think if you do a little searching here, you will find that heavy duty solutions at this stage, eg 5x5 matrices, often turn out to be overkill unless you hv found a real nitpicker.

There is a sort of ascending degree of detail in the examples quoted. It also depends on whether you are seeking a generally applicable framework or solely for specific items, which is seemingly the latter in yr case (the general could also be expanded to the specific of course). If so, Tony’s styling seems the simplest option, eg listing the relevant hazard parameters then their categorisation regarding the final objective. The simplest methodology for this (see previous links) is typically based on an exists / acceptable / not acceptable column which often seems auditor permissible as a risk evaluation. If otherwise it will be maybe necessary to go up one level to something like matrices.

Rgds / Charles.C