Is using zip ties for temporary repair acceptable by SQF?

Hello,

 

do you guys have any idea about the status of using zip ties for temporary repair ?? is it acceptable by SQF ??

 

Thank you

 

 

 

 

Hello,

 

do you guys have any idea about the status of using zip ties for temporary repair ?? is it acceptable by SQF ??

 

Thank you

 

Hi Maria,

 

ex SQF, 7.2  module 11 guidance -

 

11.7.5   Auditing Guidance

Foreign matter control (including glass) procedures shall be reviewed as part of the initial desk audit. 

Subsequently, foreign matter control procedures will be audited as part of each facility audit through

observation, review of records and interviews with operating personnel.  Evidence may include:

•      Foreign matter control procedures are documented;

•      Foreign matter control procedures identify all potential sources of foreign matter

contamination;

•      Foreign matter control procedures are effectively implemented;

•      Foreign matter control procedures include responsibility for foreign matter control;

•      Foreign matter control procedures are communicated to staff;

•      Inspections are conducted to prevent foreign material contamination of product;

•      Temporary repairs are not used within the processing areas or where food is handled or stored;

•      A glass register has been developed;

•      The glass register is complete, and covers all glass located at the site;

•      The glass register includes brittle plastic and other materials;

•      Glass inspections are conducted regularly including instrument dial covers and thermometers;

•      Wood used in processing / handling area well maintained and clean;

•      There are no loose materials on processing equipment;

•      Knives and cutting instruments are clean and sanitized

 

.

Maybe SQF users will know if the above is 100% implemented in practice.

Hello maria2014,

 

Our facility is not yet SQF certified but we recently had a GAP assessment and I asked the auditor that very question. He suggested zip ties were acceptable in the right circumstance. In our process we have some pretty hot areas and a zip tie would not be acceptable around a hot area.

SQF seems pretty firm on No temporary repairs. If avoidable, I recommend you do so.

 

Cheers and good luck!,

 

Big Wally

Thank you 

We haven't had any NCs but received an OIP with the auditor's opinion that it's a best practice to replace standard nylon ties with a blue colored metal detectable type. In defense of this it should be noted that our production areas are frequently reconfigured so to reduce tripping hazards use of ties is necessary to secure cords and hoses.

My experience has been zip ties [serving a purpose] are acceptable if in good condition and away from open product or potential contamination.  I did use to carry a pair of wire cutters with me during monthly inspections to remove zip ties that no longer served a purpose as I did not think an auditor would be forgiving of many old random zip ties.

Maria,

 

I'd recommend that if you do choose to use zip ties to choose the wire ones esquef mentioned above. Additionally, if you are to use zip ties, I suggest some kind of checksheet or SOP that mentions removing and accounting for zip ties after they have served their purpose. That way, if one is missing, it doesn't go unnoticed.

 

Although at our plant we categorize zip ties as temporary fixes...if they aren't put on properly or are old, they could fall off and get into product, which we want to avoid even though we have metal detectors. That way no product is destroyed or put on hold because of contamination from a fallen zip tie.

 

-Christina

SQF Code 7.2, §11.7.5.3 (Module 11) states the following:

 

 

The use of temporary fasteners such as string, wire or tape to fix or hold equipment shall not be permitted.

 

In my own practice, our policy states that temporary fasteners are prohibited and items requiring such fasteners are to be deemed as non-conformant and removed from service until fixed with a permanent solution.

 

The code explicitly says not to use temporary fasteners on equipment, but if you were to use it on something else in a food processing/handling area, I would conduct and document a risk assessment to determine the likelihood of the zip tie breaking free from whatever it's secured to and contaminating your product, or causing further damage if the tie breaks while in use, and then the severity of any possible outcomes.

 

Good luck!

This has come up during audits.  Maintenance uses zip ties to hold bundled electrical cords together, particularly so they can sort out which bundle goes to what.  Auditors have not had a problem with that use.  From time to time the same maintenance people use zip ties as an expedient until they can get a piece of equipment permanently fixed.  If found it is recorded as a temporary repair - understandable but still a temporary repair.  Circumstances affect acceptability.

Thank you

My experience has been zip ties [serving a purpose] are acceptable if in good condition and away from open product or potential contamination.  I did use to carry a pair of wire cutters with me during monthly inspections to remove zip ties that no longer served a purpose as I did not think an auditor would be forgiving of many old random zip ties.

 

Exactly.  It is not at all unusual to see zip ties in some food prep areas and to me, are acceptable if they are in a good state of repair with no superfluous ones visible.  The device used for the task in hand needs to be 'appropriate'.  Eg zip ties securing cables to cableways is ok.  Zip ties securing equipment guarding (where bolts are normally used) is not ok. 

 

I suspect it also depends to some extent on the view of the auditor.  Wish it wasn't that way..... :(

I was searching for a "suitable repair" that I continually choose to make it permanent, I will observation that upward. For the present it is working like acceptability and with the particularly.

Hello, if you need the cable ties(zip ties) in an emergency I would look at using metal detectable ones then you have a control. I would follow this up with a validation of the tie. there is a number of company's that sell the ties.

At my last plant there were many zip ties used for holding electrical cords and the like.  We made sure that we didn't leave dangling ends and that they were not above food contact surfaces.  We didn't use metal detectable ones (but it's a good idea) and were SQF level 2 with no issues with the zip ties.  

 

Our equipment was not modular but fixed and the zip ties were 'permanent' (changed during deep cleaning on the MSS) so I wouldn't suggest using them in a way that makes it seem like it's an obvious thrown together temporary repair.   What I mean is, if a zip tie is holding a piece of equipment from falling or dangling, it's likely to draw negative attention.  If a zip tie 'looks like it belongs' like it has a purpose, then it's likely to be accepted.

SQF 8 has changed its opinion on temporary repairs.

 

11.2.10.8 Temporary repairs, where required shall not pose a food safety risk and shall be included in the

cleaning program. There shall be a plan in place to address completion of temporary repairs to ensure they do not

become permanent solutions.

This is a new element.

 

As long as you have a plan to keep track of them, and don't plan on them becoming permanent, they should be fine.