BRC 4.7 Maintenance

I am the quality compliance official of the company, and i was wondering how are you guys dealing with this? did i mention it involves engineering/Maintenance? :)

4.7
An effective maintenance programme shall be in operation for plant and equipment
to prevent contamination and reduce the potential for breakdowns.

Dealing with maintenance can seem a bit difficult at times espeically from a quality stand point. You have to just stick to your guns and show them how their jobs affect the quailty of the product. Descibe how being proactive is much better then being reactive, It may take some time but they'll come around.

Some of the programs and policies we have put in place to meet these set of standards are:

Preventative maintance programs, Daily / Routine Maintenance inspections, Risk Assessments, Temporary repair logs (w/ anticipated date of permant repair), Sanitation after maintenance sign offs, Letters of conformity from suppliers (For food Grade equipment), Holding Employees for cleaning up after them selfs (espeically when using drills, laths, saws.......) with daily/weekly inspections & haveing swarf type matting at entrances/exits of workshops.

JPredmore has covered most of the requirements.

Most people use a 'permit to work system', the work being authorised by a responsible person. Post work inspection to include checks for adequate cleaning and hazards such as foreign bodies.

Maintenance requirements for ew equipment should be prescribed when commissioning.

Materials used for equipment and plant maintenance that pose a risk should be controlled (e.g. oil).

Regards,

Tony