15 replies to this topic

[Simon]

OK so you ban all personal items and give employees a locker for all their garbage.  So the employee has a personal item locker key and a clothing locker key.  Is it best to give them a company provided key ring.  If so what?  Any ideas or recommendations?  Or maybe an even better solution.

 

Thanks,

Simon

[GMO]

Neither.  Use combination locks that way no keys.  I thank you   *waits for applause*

[Simon]

Neither.  Use combination locks that way no keys.  I thank you   *waits for applause*

 

Damn you're so clever.

[Mr. Incognito]

lol that's a good option.  We had those at my last place.  I've never worked somewhere that you couldn't have your keys in your pocket though.  I always have my work keys on my personal keys... otherwise I'll lose them all.

[cazyncymru]

I'm with GMO, nothing in pockets, in fact I'd ban pockets!

 

Caz x

[Simon]

Pockets banned.

[mehraj.udct]

I agree with GMO nothing should be in pocket because we don't wash/sanitize our keys there must be loads of microbes on it shouldn't be allowed in food production area .

[SaniS]

In my place staffs are keeping locker keys in their pockets of personnal clothing and uniform/protective clothing is wore above that which has no pockets.

 

What is the risk if the keys on the pocket as long as they are not touched while inside the production line??

[mehraj.udct]

SaniS how you will keep watch that they have not touched the keys inside the production line?

[Simon]

In my place staffs are keeping locker keys in their pockets of personnal clothing and uniform/protective clothing is wore above that which has no pockets.

 

What is the risk if the keys on the pocket as long as they are not touched while inside the production line??

 

The thing is if you don't standardize then you lose control.  If I say yes you have pockets then in effect anything can and will go into the pocket, if I say you can bring keys in your pockets then how many keys, what array of key-rings that may present a foreign body risk.  Then you are forever chasing your tail and life is complicated enough for a Quality Manager.

 

The best way is no pockets in uniforms, give them lockers for all their personal belongings and then have a standard company issued key-ring for their locker key.  Then ensure these are in a secure and accessible place for when needed.  Job done.

[Mr. Incognito]

Wow... I've been called a zealot for food safety but you guys make me look like a left leaning American politician.

 

I've never worked in a place that required everyone have nothing in their pockets.  With the handwashing procedure/GMPs in place we expect that the microbiological load will be low enough on hands and we keep our people busy so they aren't sitting around with their hands in their pockets

 

It comes down to risk for the product and I think with the big picture issues we deal with having a key in your pocket is really a low level risk.

 

However if having a key in an operators pocket is your only worry then either your doing something very right or very wrong lol

Edited by MerleW, 12 December 2013 - 03:39 PM.

[coldstorage]

While on the subject of lockers...We have combination locks and have employees keep their keys in the lockers.  Does anyone have a good locker inspection checklist they are willing to share? 

[Lanser]

We have rfid card access to site and process areas so everyone is issued with a card and lanyard, locker keys are attached to that.

[Zeeshan]

The thing is if you don't standardize then you lose control.  If I say yes you have pockets then in effect anything can and will go into the pocket, if I say you can bring keys in your pockets then how many keys, what array of key-rings that may present a foreign body risk.  Then you are forever chasing your tail and life is complicated enough for a Quality Manager.

 

The best way is no pockets in uniforms, give them lockers for all their personal belongings and then have a standard company issued key-ring for their locker key.  Then ensure these are in a secure and accessible place for when needed.  Job done.

Need to explain or elaborate the most critical step -  the secure and accessible place for keeping key-ring, especially under no-pocket policy!!!

[Jim E.]

Key, Keys, Keys, a neccesary evil I am afraid.  Yes keys are allowed and neccesary in the plant.  Not only do some staff have key locks for personnel lockers, but then the sanitation personnel have a key for the chemical room, electricians have keys for all locked electrical rooms, for safety all employees that lock out equipment will have a key for thier lock outs ( this includes maintenance and production employees).  These are just a couple of examples that we have in our plant.  Requirements are in place to control the keys as mentioned above we supply personnel with smocks and or coveralls with no pockets and keys kept in internal pockets or on a lanyard around neck (does have quick release for safety measure).  I do not think you can keep away from them being in the plant.

 

Your thoughts.....

Edited by Jim E., 17 December 2013 - 05:18 PM.

[Simon]

Need to explain or elaborate the most critical step -  the secure and accessible place for keeping key-ring, especially under no-pocket policy!!!

 

Down your socks.

 

No seriously in one department where they walk around a lot they are kept in a lockable cupboard hung in numerical order with only the supervisor having a key.  At break time they all go together and get keys handed to them.  It takes one minute out and one minute in. In other departments where they work on one machine then they hang their keys on the shadow board at the machine.