19 replies to this topic

[QKEL]

Hello!

 

We are vamping up our sanitation program by either hiring a designated sanitation crew or outsourcing to a contract service provider.

I was hoping I could get some feedback on the pros and cons of going either route.  My experience has been limited because our company currently utilizes their production employees for sanitation at the end of the production run.  To get us to the next level, I want to utilize a sanitation crew whether it's our own or outsourced.  We are working towards SQF level II.  We need more extensive and frequent cleaning to meet our SSOPs and MSS.

 

As always, your experiences and guidance are greatly appreciated!

QKEL

[Tony-C]

Hi QKEL,

 

I prefer my own dedicated crew, I would consider outsourcing only if I was confident in the contractor. Either way they both need to be managed to ensure the sanitation is carried out the required standard.

 

Regards,

 

Tony

[CarrieK]

I would certainly get a dedicated crew, however, it could be that going through a reputable temp agency would be a good start for potential employees (I believe they do all/most of the legwork). Of course, you would still want to interview. You would also want to offer the 'temps' permanent positions after so long, or they would have no motivation to stay with your company. Downside to using a temp agency at all is turnover. Not to say you won't experience that with a permanent dedicated crew, but possibly less percentage than using the temp employees. (Temp companies also do all of the paperwork and you can just call them and dismiss a certain person if they are not working out without repercussions. If after, say, a 90 day period the person IS working out, then you could hire them.) I would also provide the temp agency with GMP's so they can alert employees before they start of those particular rules. 

Like Tony stated, you will want to make sure they are all trained and understand the importance of their roles in the company.

[Setanta]

We have had the best experience in getting the sanitation step contracted out. We use a company in the US that has experience cleaning for a wide variety of food production facilities. 

 

We did it on our own and our resources were stretched too thin to adequately train and cover the 3rd shift with our own employees. There was in-fighting, poor morale and lack of responsiveness (especially with no people).  

 

We have given the outside party a standard to uphold and they bid on what they say they can do. They are then responsible for all the training, recruiting, documentation, and  if we have an issue with sanitation levels, we've had good response in getting that addressed by going further up the management ladder. (They've been very responsive!) They are here for audits, usually with their upper managers as support for more technical questions. They are also well versed in the chemicals used to clean.

[AJ1795]

We have had the best experience in getting the sanitation step contracted out. We use a company in the US that has experience cleaning for a wide variety of food production facilities. 

 

We did it on our own and our resources were stretched too thin to adequately train and cover the 3rd shift with our own employees. There was in-fighting, poor morale and lack of responsiveness (especially with no people).  

 

We have given the outside party a standard to uphold and they bid on what they say they can do. They are then responsible for all the training, recruiting, documentation, and  if we have an issue with sanitation levels, we've had good response in getting that addressed by going further up the management ladder. (They've been very responsive!) They are here for audits, usually with their upper managers as support for more technical questions. They are also well versed in the chemicals used to clean.

 

Setanta,

 

If you are uncomfortable posting the name of the company would you message it to me?  Not sure where you are located but I have been very interested in contracting out sanitation as well!  

[ctzinck]

We have had the best experience in getting the sanitation step contracted out. We use a company in the US that has experience cleaning for a wide variety of food production facilities. 

 

We did it on our own and our resources were stretched too thin to adequately train and cover the 3rd shift with our own employees. There was in-fighting, poor morale and lack of responsiveness (especially with no people).  

 

We have given the outside party a standard to uphold and they bid on what they say they can do. They are then responsible for all the training, recruiting, documentation, and  if we have an issue with sanitation levels, we've had good response in getting that addressed by going further up the management ladder. (They've been very responsive!) They are here for audits, usually with their upper managers as support for more technical questions. They are also well versed in the chemicals used to clean.

I'd be interested in knowing what company you out source with as well. 

 

Thanks :) 

[Setanta]

I guess I can't IM.  It is PSSI.            Packer Sanitation Services

[Tony-C]

I guess I can't IM.  It is PSSI.            Packer Sanitation Services

 

Hi Setanta,

 

We are here to help members. I think that it is reasonable that if you wish to recommend a service that you have experience of then you can provide a link to their website, providing you don't have any personal interest.

 

Regards,

 

Tony

[Setanta]

Actually, it is the other way around. I would have preferred to send an IM, but I can't. 

 

From a public standpoint, I'd prefer to be unbiased. I am not affiliated in any way with PSSI, but I know there are businesses that do advertise here.

[CMHeywood]

If you outsource then it falls under 2.3.3 Contract Service Providers.  You would need documents from the company about their training, what chemicals they use, etc.

[ganderson64]

We currently use a contractor to perform sanitation within our facility. The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. 1 - liability rests with the sanitation company on most issues. 2 - A good company (as ours) has a highly functional, cloud-based QMS for review by auditing bodies. 3 - Supervision, training, safety etc...rest with the contractor. We are a start-up and our investors insisted on this from the outset. Having been on both sides as the quality mgr, I would never wish to go back to managing an in-house sanitation program. My time can be spent improving the processes as opposed to reviewing sanitation performance metrics.

[AJ1795]

We currently use a contractor to perform sanitation within our facility. The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. 1 - liability rests with the sanitation company on most issues. 2 - A good company (as ours) has a highly functional, cloud-based QMS for review by auditing bodies. 3 - Supervision, training, safety etc...rest with the contractor. We are a start-up and our investors insisted on this from the outset. Having been on both sides as the quality mgr, I would never wish to go back to managing an in-house sanitation program. My time can be spent improving the processes as opposed to reviewing sanitation performance metrics.

 

ganderson64, would you also post/message the name of the company that you use?  

[Tony-C]

Actually, it is the other way around. I would have preferred to send an IM, but I can't. 

 

From a public standpoint, I'd prefer to be unbiased. I am not affiliated in any way with PSSI, but I know there are businesses that do advertise here.

 

Hi Setanta,

 

I believe that members need to have made a specified number of posts before they can receive messages.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[gfdoucette07]

I to have used the PSSI group and have used internal teams, at each plant they worked great for the application. Contracted group did great work and were very flexible to our changing needs.  They are another "business" though so they suffer the same issues we all do, lack of staff who want to put in hard work and higher turnover.  My only qwam was conistantly short staffed but otherwise good experiance.

 

G

[Tony-C]

We currently use a contractor to perform sanitation within our facility. The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. 1 - liability rests with the sanitation company on most issues. 2 - A good company (as ours) has a highly functional, cloud-based QMS for review by auditing bodies. 3 - Supervision, training, safety etc...rest with the contractor. We are a start-up and our investors insisted on this from the outset. Having been on both sides as the quality mgr, I would never wish to go back to managing an in-house sanitation program. My time can be spent improving the processes as opposed to reviewing sanitation performance metrics.

 

That makes sense on a start up business, but I always feel nervous about a business controlled by 'investors' unless they have significant experience in the food industry.

[Setanta]

Hi Setanta,

 

I believe that members need to have made a specified number of posts before they can receive messages.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

 

Thanks, Tony!   Since I am currently at 847 posts, 164 "Thanks" and being an ISFQN Principal, I'd thought I'd be OK by now  

[Tony-C]

Hi Setanta,

 

I believe that members need to have made a specified number of posts before they can receive messages.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

 

 

Thanks, Tony!   Since I am currently at 847 posts, 164 "Thanks" and being an ISFQN Principal, I'd thought I'd be OK by now  

 

  And you are a very well respected member!

 

The PM system can only be used by established members and anyone who is not in this category cannot send or receive messages.

 

Sorry if I offended you but I believe as the system stands that a new member cannot receive a PM from you. Nothing to do with your well respected status on the IFSQN forums.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[Setanta]

No offense taken. 

[Tony-C]

No offense taken. 

 

Glad to hear that 

 

As per my original post 'I believe that members need to have made a specified number of posts before they can receive private messages' from you, me or anyone else that is an established member.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[QKEL]

I apologize for the delayed response. 

 

Your suggestions are very much appreciated.  Seriously, you all are my goto for all things Quality when I need valuable guidance.

 

We are going to look fully into both options.  Not getting a lot of interest in sanitation crew ads we placed to hire our own.  A few candidates we have received have not been ideal candidates. 

One interviewee advised he was interested in the position because "it sounded easy".

We currently have a Food Safety and Sanitation Specialist who successfully oversees are current sanitation program.  I need to take the next step of having a designated sanitation crew for him to supervise so we can increase sanitation by tasks and frequency.

 

I will review every option you have provided and let you know what route we finally implement.