Machine bolt and screw inventory
Hi there, do any of you have equipment that has a lot of bolts and screws, and do you have an inventory of those bolts and screws that you check before the beginning of each run, to make sure they haven't fallen into product?
We have a metal detection system in place in multiple places, and I'm sure we would find a bolt or a screw if it fell into product. However, the missing bolt or screw could cause adverse equipment performance as well.
What do you think?
Matthew
No we don't. We have a prestart check but to have an inventory of every nut and bolt is OTT IMO. If there are some nuts or bolts deliberately removed from a machine then you could mark the machine to make this clear. If you have had issues with it, then risk assess where the risk is highest and concentrate on these, otherwise you risk giving your teams so much to do they don't actually do it and it becomes a tick box exercise.
No we don't. We have a prestart check but to have an inventory of every nut and bolt is OTT IMO. If there are some nuts or bolts deliberately removed from a machine then you could mark the machine to make this clear. If you have had issues with it, then risk assess where the risk is highest and concentrate on these, otherwise you risk giving your teams so much to do they don't actually do it and it becomes a tick box exercise.
This ^^
Definitivelly, do it!
See BRC 4.7.2: In addition to any planned maintenance programme, where there is a risk of product contamination by foreign bodies arising from equipment damage, the equipment shall be inspected at predetermined intervals, inspection results documented and appropriate action taken.
No we don't. We have a prestart check but to have an inventory of every nut and bolt is OTT IMO. If there are some nuts or bolts deliberately removed from a machine then you could mark the machine to make this clear. If you have had issues with it, then risk assess where the risk is highest and concentrate on these, otherwise you risk giving your teams so much to do they don't actually do it and it becomes a tick box exercise.
Totally agree with this - and there is a way to make it easier.
In the same way that most manufacturers have a glass register - which details every single piece of glass/hard plastic, but often doesn't actually identify the precise location, there is a danger that this becomes a "tick box" exercise.
However for high risk areas your check list can be in the form of a photographic standard.
Operators - even new ones - can check the photo against the area & make a quick assessment if something is missing..... staff are more likely to use this as it is a lot easier than a written list.