13 replies to this topic

[BruceMartin]

Hi Everybody
Can anybody clarify if the fork lift truck lights/dials need to be registered on the glass and brittle plastic register. We currently do not include them in our audit and we have never been challenged by BRC auditors.
Might be prudent to add them. What do you think?
Regards
Bruce Martin

[imadoughguy]

I think your instincts are spot on... may as well add it.

 

Murphy's Law says... if it's not on there the auditor will be sure to ask about it. :-)

 

Phil

[Charles.C]

Hi Everybody
Can anybody clarify if the fork lift truck lights/dials need to be registered on the glass and brittle plastic register. We currently do not include them in our audit and we have never been challenged by BRC auditors.
Might be prudent to add them. What do you think?
Regards
Bruce Martin

 

Dear BruceMartin,

 

Don't forget clause 4.9.3.1.

 

Rgds / Charles.C

[Wine Gum]

Hi BruceMartin

 

We have included the lights, etc on the forklift checklist. Checks on the forklifts are done daily by the forklift driver.

 

Regards

 

Makayla

[andycuk7]

Dependant on where this FLT is used really, then decide if a monthly check will be ok or not.

 

A daily checksheet for FLT's should include dials anyway really.

[George @ Safefood 360°]

andycuk7 is correct. Risk assess the FLT. If it is used in areas were exposed foods are processed and handled you should audit frequently. If it is used to handle enclosed and packaged materials a less frequent audit will suffice.

 

George 

[GMO]

Also check the existing safety checks don't already cover this off.  No need to have people checking 101 times.

[Ulrich Schraewer]

Hi Bruce Martin,

 

Its quiet simple. For any glass/plastic you should asked the following questions.

 

1. Where is the glass/plastic/ceramic item located? Is the equipment in direct contact with the finished product?  

 

2.Is the equipment/machinery/item consisting of glass/plastic/ceramic likely to break or damage?

 

2. Can broken glass/plastic/ceramic in case of a breakage contaminate the finished product?

 

I conduct a lot of audits and I clearly can say that the lights/glass of a forklifts do break and need to be included. 

 

ulrich

 

[DuckMan]

I hate to agree but I too believe that if the "utensil" or "equipment" i.e. the forklift is used in areas where exposed product is, they must be on the audit. The lights, brittle plastics, even the mirror. This can also be covered on an equipment checklist tailored to the forklift.

 

Best of luck

 

The DuckMan

[Madam A. D-tor]

If the lights etc. of fork lift trucks are included in the glass/brittle material register is one of my standard questions.

 

Of course you can use risk assessment to set the frequency of the checks on these items.

However staff should be aware of the risks involved in broken lights on FLT.

Most times when I find a broken light on FLT during audit, the reaction is very mild: "oh, he probably hit something, while duing his job. This is no big deal, all products (or raw materials) are packed here (e.g. in the ware house)". People should be aware that even if the products are alle packed and wrapped, the pieces can go round the factory by wheels, pallets, shoes, etc.

Damaged lights etc, should be reported and repaired as soon as possible and pieces must be searched for.

 

Another item often missing in glass registers are the covers of the lights in the loading areas of trucks.

Ofcourse this is low risk if all products are packed, but then again it is possible that pieces go to your factory.

Once I have observed pieces of brittle transparant plastic on top of a big bag, which hung above processing line to be unloaded. These pieces came from lights from loading area of vehicle.

[eddief]

thanks, we have included on ours

[dandy0215]

Can anyone verify if globe mirrors (the kind that allow forklift drivers to see around the corner) should be included in a glass/brittle plastic audit?

[Setanta]

Can anyone verify if globe mirrors (the kind that allow forklift drivers to see around the corner) should be included in a glass/brittle plastic audit?

Yes, they should be

[MWidra]

Don't forget the covers on pressure gauges.  Some of these things can pop off if you bump them.  There are more pressure gauges than you think:  every dry chemical fire extinguisher has one.

 

Martha