Glass and Brittle Plastics Breakage Procedure for Warehouse
I need a Glass and Brittle Plastics Policy and Breakage Procedure for a frozen warehouse. We do cold storage and frozen storage for food that is already sealed and packaged by the manufacturer. We offload it, store it, and re-load it when it is picked up. We do not process any food. Food is not at risk of contamination, yet the auditor is asking for a procedure in the event of breakage. Will a simple statement work?
I would say probably not. From an auditors perspective they have to look at the worst case scenario and if nothing else, you should have a document in place that states what must be done in the event of glass breakage.
This is a good basic template I found a while ago which is a good place to start
Most glass & brittle plastic policies require a risk assessment. Which means you list any glass or brittle plastic that could impact the product and assign a risk level. For example warehouse light bulbs could be a low risk even though they are over boxes because the units are shielded and the food is in primary packaging and then in secondary, cardboard packaging. Generally speaking an audit is done regularly based on the risk level. Perhaps your low risk is monthly and your high risk is daily.
This shows the auditor that you have looked at all of the possibilities, know what the risks are and monitoring.
Wyldice is right that you should also have a policy that says what you do in the effect of breakage.
I need a Glass and Brittle Plastics Policy and Breakage Procedure for a frozen warehouse. We do cold storage and frozen storage for food that is already sealed and packaged by the manufacturer. We offload it, store it, and re-load it when it is picked up. We do not process any food. Food is not at risk of contamination, yet the auditor is asking for a procedure in the event of breakage. Will a simple statement work?
As an example the BRC S&D Standard refers to protection of bulbs, strip lights and EFK's requiring shatterproof plastic diffusers and glass items such as windows protected against breakage.
As an auditor I would expect to see a policy regarding such items, identification and checks of high risk items and a simple procedure with checklist and signature to verify any breakage has been dealt with effectively and no product was affected.
Regards,
Tony
Even with diffuser covers, there is still a risk element in that the glass bulbs and strip lights themselves are not adequately protected. The risk of breakage and glass contamination significantly increases when they are being replaced. This risk can be minimised by using fragment retention lamps.
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