4 replies to this topic

[nikkigordon]

We are waiting for our first BRC Audit, but have a questions regarding staff uniform and protective clothing.

 

We are going for basic Hygiene Packaging, We are a company that produce labels for indirect food labelling.

 

Staff currently arrive in their own clothes and then change into trousers and a polo shirt and also change footwear.

 

They all change when they leave the building or go for cigarette break, however,

 

Should they change in the following circumstance

 

- Entering the toilet during a shift

- stopping for lunch or stopping for a drink

- Leaving the building to empty a bin

 

Also what is considered protective clothing?

 

- Are staff allowed to wear polo shirts, shorts?

- Should arms and legs be covered.

 

As a knock on for this what rules then apply to office staff entering the production area, and also contractors and maintenance staff that enter the production areas;

 

IS it acceptable for them to enter in their own clothing? Do they have to wear an overcoat? Should they change their footwear or wear over shoes?

 

Any help much appreciated

[Sharon (Dewsbury)]

Hi,

 Most of this is for you to decide by risk assessment. I suggest you list all the questions you have and risk assess them 1 by 1 justifying any action required or not based on risk to product. Polo shirts with no  sewn on buttons are acceptable. We have short sleeves with press stud necks and short trousers.

You may decide taking the bins out could contaminate their overalls so you asked then to wear a paper disposable over them to keep them clean.

Based on risk you may decide that office staff must enclose their hair and don't need overalls as they  keep a distance from product. This all depends on your assessment of risk and your circumstances.

[cuong0000]

Dear.

If you not change protect clothing before entering toilet,canteen, or anywhere that not processing area. maybe you must face to risk cross-contamination with your product. This policy should be apply to all people when entering production area.

Regards.

[daveh11]

As per Sharon's post, its all about the risk in relation to your business, and whilst the likelihood of clothing becoming contaminated maybe high as a result of an action, you need to consider the risk / severity of that contamination in relation to food safety, how can it transfer from the clothing to the label, and then to the food, and what risk it then poses to the consumer.

Based on your business of label manufacture, the risk sounds very low,

• What / how can the labels make contact with clothing during manufacture?
• What type of contaminant is likely / possible?
• If clothing contamination were to occur,  what is the the risk of this transferring to the label, how are the labels handled.
• Then ask what is risk posed to food safety in the event of contamination.
• Maybe there is only certain parts of your process that needs a control implementing.

[redfox]

Hello,

 

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is your uniform, smock gowns, etc. It must be removed when you go out from production.

 

regards,

redfox