What controls are required for employee electronic personal items?

Does SQF have any standards regarding if employees are allowed stereo's, MP3 players, cell phones, etc on the production floor at any time? Module 13 doesn't appear to have any I could find. Perhaps I missed something in Module 2? Thanks!

Nothing under SQF. BUT with a hazard analysis could this affect the product in any way?

I would be concerned about the little rubber cushions on headphones falling off and in the product.

What is the likely hood they won't take the electronics out when on the production floor, have you seen the studies about how dirty cell phones can be!!!!

If it's a wet production area and their electronics get wet, who do you think they are going to blame?

I think this is a major safety issue. Music/MP3 - Would this noise with the machinery noise, cause hearing loss? Can the employees still hear fire alarms or lift truck and pallet jack horns etc...

We have previously had GMP rules in place regarding cell phone usage (as the consultant stated) but had allowed employees to keep radios here (they had to be stored here and labeled) which had been acceptable for AIB. I was hoping for something in the SQF code that blatantly stated NO usage was to take place. We are just starting to implement programs in prep for our gap analysis and changing the culture (let alone attitudes) her has been a challenge to say the least! It helps when you can put up a regulation you didn't create sometimes.

Does SQF have any standards regarding if employees are allowed stereo's, MP3 players, cell phones, etc on the production floor at any time? Module 13 doesn't appear to have any I could find. Perhaps I missed something in Module 2? Thanks!

Morning Charbear, much the same as stated above. GMP and a good old risk assessment will certainly put a negative spin on the items you have stated. There are some horrible injurys shown on line from people who have lost a hand having worn a watch while using machinery or getting run over while not paying attention using a mobile phone for a call or listening to music. Phones etc can also harbour some great germs too or something drop off and get delivered to a customer and you end up with a recall. Swab a few phones and see whats present?

cheers

DW

Headphones are a definite no-no for GMP's.  Cell phones are questionable.  Does your company have any policy in place?

For our operations, we are small, and have no hard lines in the facility except for front office and the QA lab.  We have radios, but outside communication to our personnel is typically handled via cell phone including floor personnel.  Our policy is hands must be sanitized after handling phone before handling any product contact surface, primary packaging, or ingredients.

Headphones are a definite no-no for GMP's.  Cell phones are questionable.  Does your company have any policy in place?

 

For our operations, we are small, and have no hard lines in the facility except for front office and the QA lab.  We have radios, but outside communication to our personnel is typically handled via cell phone including floor personnel.  Our policy is hands must be sanitized after handling phone before handling any product contact surface, primary packaging, or ingredients.

Yes it looks like GMP's forbid cell phone use in the production area. I wondered about radios... We are also small only 10-16 people per shift (not counting office). We do have hard lines around areas so I should have known better lol.