Is protective footwear needed in low risk packing facility?
Hi there
Just wondering if I could get some advice - I have recently started a new job as a QA Manager in a raw vegetable packing facility. I am working on our PPE policy at the minute. We wear protective coats, hair nets and gloves and staff loading and unloading lorries have protective boots to wear. I am just checking to see if there is a requirement for floor staff to wear protective white footwear or can they wear their own shoes as long as they are clean? I can't find much information on this!
Thanks
Hi there
Just wondering if I could get some advice - I have recently started a new job as a QA Manager in a raw vegetable packing facility. I am working on our PPE policy at the minute. We wear protective coats, hair nets and gloves and staff loading and unloading lorries have protective boots to wear. I am just checking to see if there is a requirement for floor staff to wear protective white footwear or can they wear their own shoes as long as they are clean? I can't find much information on this!
Thanks
Dear Elaine,
Are you tying to satisfy any particular standard ?
The (micro. hygienic) answer may depend on yr Listeria policy, if any.
Rgds / Charles.C
PS (added) -these 2 packinghouse viewpoints (SQF Guidance 2000 quotes, Canadian, respectively) may help a bit -
Employees and Visitors must wear clean outer garments and footwear. Employees and Visitors with excessively soiled clothing will not handle products or Packaging Materials. Employees and Visitors working in product production areas (farm) should not handle processed product unless they have cleaned-up and changed their clothing. In high risks processes, employees must not wear processing uniforms off site. Employees who are not engaged in high risk processes can wear uniforms off site provided that they are properly cleaned at the beginning of their work operation. Clothing includes work cloths, overalls, boots, shoe coverings, head coverings, hair nets, smocks, frocks, beard snoods and coats.
You may provide additional outdoor lunchroom facilities (picnic tables) where they do not pose a dust or pest hazard to the processing area of the Plant. Covered facilities and sealed paths are one way to address these hazards. Where hazards presented by such facilities are minimal, you may employ alternative controls, such as routine cleaning of tables and steps to minimize dust on non-sealed paths.Foot baths also provide another means to ensure that foot traffic does not bring dust or other contaminants into the processing area if practical to do so.
Greenhouse Manual 2013.pdf 2.01MB 77 downloads
Thanks Charles.C
I am trying to see if we meet BRC Issue 6 under section 7.4.. It doesn't give specific guidance about footwear so I have been looking for clarification to see if we are covered. I think that we are.
Thanks again!
Hi Elaine
I'd say from a health & safety point of view if nothing else you'd be mad not to have everyone in safety shoes/boots of some sort! I know when I worked in a veg packhouse we had black safety boots but as far as I remember we were free to wear them outside the factory. Actually, I remember one lad turning up at a staff night out wearing his safety trainers....classy lad!!! That was BRC version a lot less than 6 days though :)
Olivia
Charles.C and Olivia
Thanks for all your advice! Just thought id comment and say that I've included the use of protective footwear in my PPE policy - Its not going down well among some of the staff but with perseverance it should fall into place.
Thanks
Elaine
High care and High risk area requires to maintain clean and hygienic conditions therefore it is imperative to have clean clothing and foot ware to work inside. There is no requirement/need to have footware for low risk area.
Sandeep Soni