13 replies to this topic

[Scampi]

Is anyone aware of a requirement that would prevent us from planting hedges, shrubs or flower beds next to the building at the main office entrance? There has been some rampant discussion here as to yea or nay.

 

[Setanta]

Depending on what it is you produce, and what standard you subscribe to, you may want to check into this. 

 

Many standards want a perimeter around the building kept clear as shrubs can be a place for rodents and insects to hide.  We have a gravel perimeter all the way around the building. It took until we expanded and went after SQF certifaction for ownership to get that shrubs, trees and landscaping niceties were pretty but not in our best interests. So check with your standards and also the CFIA to see what they recommend.

[xylough]

Hi,

GMP audits I commonly performed e.g. AIB, Steritech, Silliker, etc. look that landscape does not touch the building with a clearance of at least 12" - 18" depending on the specific audit parameters.
Organic mulches are considered landscape. They want to see some kind of aggregate or paving to constitute a pest control perimeter that gives easy access to pest control technicians, promotes drainage away from the building and mitigates harborage. Well-kept, smart landscape that is away from the immediate building is not audited against as long as it is not some thick ground cover like ivy that harbors pests. Landscapes can be viewed as de facto weed control and audit parameters sometimes additionally have prescriptions that there be no e.g., "weed patches", "debris" within 25 ft. even if that demarcation falls on adjacent property or past a fenceline. The facility is expected to establish relationship with the neighbors to deal with landscape issues affecting the facility within the verbiage of the audit. Audit parameters sometimes speak to dust control and also to indications of rodent burrows on the grounds. Smart landscape can also serve to discourage interlopers and to obscure security risks like the main backflow prevention device if it is located outside. Very important to know the exacting parameters of your strictest audit before finalizing a landscape plan.
I have not yet entered the world of GFSI, but is is difficult to imagine that they would be less prescriptive than GMP audits.

[Scampi]

I only have to hit the CFIA and FSEP requirement....and they are sooooo vague. Just hoping someone else had some first hand experience or input

[MWidra]

Something that people don't think about, when planting shrubs around entrances to offices, is that it allows potential muggers to lurk right outside a door in the darker months.  If you have people who work late, and if your location is not perfectly secure, planting shrubs near the office entrances is not recommended.

 

If you have any worries about vandalism, it is not hard to set bushes on fire to have it spread to the building.  If your office is made of something that will burn, it is something else to consider.

 

Not a food safety issue, but a human safety one.

 

Martha

[Scampi]

Thanks to all. The facility is on a family farm, so fortunately always someone around, so no worries from a human safety point of view, but I had not thought of that, and I should have, at a former workplace I was done at 1 am on the afternoon shift and the back parking lot was dark dark dark. We always went with a buddy.

The office entrance is about 100 feet away from the live receiving bay and the same from the shipping dock. I get the pest or vermin harbourage, but a few nicely kept shrubs would visually make a world of difference. Oh and there is a dog who lives here and does a damn fine job of keeping critters of the premises. ( I know I know but whatcha gonna do)

[MWidra]

I had an interesting conversation with the technician from our pest management contractor.  When telling me that the activity was low today, he remarked that having fairly large gravel around our building perimeter reduces the mice and bugs that come in, they don't appear to like walking through it.  He said that when facilities that he visits have bushes, that if they keep them trimmed back and put stones under them for about 18 inches, that the pest activity goes down.  He said that if he builds a house, he's going to have stones around the foundation.

 

So, if you plant bushes, put gravel or stones under them.

 

Martha

[Simon]

Its a good idea to have gravel or paved walkway around your building perimeter, makes things much easier and reduces pest harbourage and potential ingress.

[Scampi]

Thanks Martha! excellent advice from a great source. And easier to maintain too

[handyandy]

Another mitigating factor is if there is any open gravel or paved area between the shrubs and the nearest grassy or bushy area.   Vermin will usually not travel across open areas for fear of being picked off by birds.  Easiest thing to do is ignore the regulations and go with what works for you as is your responsibility anyway.   Put a bait station under the shrubs and rodent traps inside your front door (which you should have in place anyway) and if you find that you are getting rodents in those traps remove the bushes.  I think you will find the traps empty as long as your door has a good lower seal.

[Foodie_2110]

I know this is an old topic, but I’m wondering if there are any requirements regarding exterior landscaping. Like how far vegetation and landscaping should be kept from the facility perimeter. We have lots of vegetation surrounding the building, ~ 50 cm away from the perimeter. However, I am looking for any regulatory and Food Safety standard that specify the distance. Any reference would be appreciated!

[Scampi]

SQF requires at least 18"

 

CFIA has no defined requirement, it simply states-----------so in order to prove you're not allowing a hazard like pests around the exterior, you have to be able to see the building walls.......that is your guide

1. Outside property (section 56 of the SFCR)

The land that forms part of your establishment and the location of your establishment may be a source of hazards such as pests and airborne microbial or chemical contaminants. These hazards may enter your establishment and present a risk of contamination to your food. To prevent or eliminate the hazards you:

• maintain the surrounding land/roadways free of debris, refuse and ensure it is well drained
• keep the grass trimmed and remove dead vegetation
• regularly clean and cover external waste containers with tight fitting lids that are resistant to the entry of animals and pests

If your establishment is located near a source of contamination such as livestock or agricultural activities, you can protect your food from the hazards these activities may present by:

• using filters at the air intake points to remove airborne contaminants from the incoming air
• including a buffer zone in the property
• installing fences to separate your property from surrounding activities

[GMO]

Rather than gravel which I've found rodents have no problem with, I was made aware of some mesh you can get which you can put on the soil surface around planting to avoid burrowing (like a mulch).  I'm yet to be convinced though that unless it's somehow welded to solid surfaces that a rat or mouse can't get under the damn stuff.

 

I've had planting and landscaping on site.  It makes common sense for there to be a perimeter and check it regularly for activity.  But chances are just beyond your fencing is like rat heaven.  I can't tell you how many times I've worked in food sites next to streams, railway lines or both.  

[Foodie_2110]

Thank you everyone. In my view, the gravel area should be extended to at least 3 ft away from the perimeter. We have significant amount of dead vegetation during rain reason, and large presence of snails. The Planning Dept wants to keep the landscaping for pedestrian experience purposes, and they need solid justification for this adjustment....