Clause 3.1.1 Translating procedures and working methods

Clause 3.1.1 state that "The site’s documented procedures, working methods and practices shall be collated in a navigable and readily accessible system, with consideration being given to translation into appropriate languages."

 

What does this means actually? Do i need to translate all my BRC documents into language spoken by our workers? Now all my documents is in English,(except for policies)

I am considering to translate selected procedures and work instruction into our native language - Malay. 

Our foreign workers comes from Nepalese, Myanmar, Vietnamese. Usually during training and briefing of new rules/procedure, we explain to them with the leader who is decently understand English/local language to translate and convey the message.

 

This become my concern because we already get non-conformity in 'Social Accountability Audit' last year because we did not have employees contract in one of the worker's native language.

 

I am very grateful if anyone can help me out here.  :headhurts:

Hi Hazira

 

Am also finding it difficult to meet some of the requirements of BRC system. It appears that system implementation need lot of resources and expanses so it may not be able to suit medium to small size companies. 

 

The example you have mentioned is one of them. The dispatch & distribution (ref 4.16) is another one. 

 

We pick orders and deliver our products from 2 am to 9 am. At the time of loading truck there is no management representative on site so checking of cleaning of trucks/ picking and loading of correct products etc is just not possible.

 

Regards

Dr Humaid Khan

MD Halal International Services 

Australia

WE also have the situation where our employees are of different nationalities - mainly from Poland, Latvia and Hungary. We take our staff through agencies ('try before you buy') prior to employing them. When they join us they have to have a certain level of English understanding and spoken. We have our documents in English and expect our staff to understand them or ask one of their compatriots to translate. This has worked well in the past. The expense of translating them into several languages would be too much for our business to cope with.

I have produced a written hygiene exam in the past which all has to complete, which occasionally people need help clarifying the meanings. Another possibility is to ask people to tell you the important parts of what they have read.

An alternative would be to consider some help in increasing their understanding of English - that might be cheaper to give some lessons than translate all the company documentation.

Hi Dr. Hamid,

i am only halfway reading the standard, but throughout my reading, this clause worries me. Fortunately for us, no distribution and container loading after 8.00pm.

 

Rosemary4,

we also had done the same method use as you. just a discussion between me and my boss, we may be translating GMP Procedure and policies, And BRC Manual first and see what our external pre-assessment auditor have to say.

Hi Hazira,

 

I think your idea of translating key documents is a good one and I would also include any HACCP documents and work instructions relating to CCP monitoring. Another possible solution would be the use of pictorial documents - as they say a picture say's a 1000 words! This could also assist in any potential error's in the translations.

 

Good luck with your pre-assessment!

 

Nance