SSOP's and Cleaning Checklists
Printer for food packaging - we are switching over from AIB to SQF. How detailed should we be on our "how to clean" for SSOP's and Cleaning Checklists? Looking for insights on if we need to be specific enough to train a new employee.
generally speaking an SSOP by any other name is an "idiot sheet" (sorry if i offend)
Every SSOP and SOP should be detailed enough that a newbie could step in if they had to and complete the job
This will save you time and money in the long term. This way you can train ALL your employees to perform the job the same which = a lower error rate and the likely hood of areas being missed
Ditto what Scampi said.
The goal of any SOP is that someone who has never performed the task previously will be able to do so simply by following the SOP.
Food packaging mfg here. We convert from paperboard to finished product including printing. The way we handled it was build the cleaning into each operation's SOP (Sheeting, Printing, Die Cutting, Finishing) and referred to them in our Facility Cleaning SOP something in the instructions like "machine cleaning to be performed according to the SOP and PM schedule". we have a detailed Work Instruction that outlines the rest of the facility cleaning "according to the Master Cleaning Schedule" and our Facility Cleaning SOP refers back to the Work Instruction. The facility Cleaning SOP is about 1 page as the specifics are in the other SOPs. We actually got an "Atta boy" from our auditor for the way it's set up. Hope this helps.
Agree with the idiot test on the SSOP. They should be a simple step by step guide that can get the least sanitation minded person you know (run it by the CEO to make sure they understand - ha ha) be able to clean the area to what you want. It sounds dumb but is worth it in the long run. So something as easy as 'clean employee break room' would be broken down like:
1. Using chemical X and a white rag, wipe down all horizontal surfaces in the break room including chair seats, the top of the microwave and refrigerator, and all tables
2. Using chemical Y sanitize spray, mist the tables
3. Remove old items from the refrigerator and wipe all shelves, grating, trays, etc. with clean rag
4. Use push broom to remove crumbs and debris from room - place in trash
5. Using chemical Z, mop floors - remember to place 'wet floor' sign when mopping and when floor is wet
6. Wipe down fixtures with chemical Y sanitizing spray, including door knobs, handles, water fountain buttons, etc.
Which reminds me of the other important part - list chemicals to be used and PPE to be used at each step. I use a template with 3 boxes at the top of the page. The left-most is a list of chemicals to be used, the middle one is a list of tools needed, and the right one is a list of PPE required. Then I list the steps below that.
Per what Hoosiersmoker said, you want an SOP that is a 1 pager that says, basically, "SSOPS have been developed for all areas of the plant. These SSOPS detail how to clean the plant and equipment, what chemicals and tools to use, and what PPE is required. Workers completing the SSOPS are trained through on-the-job training in completion of those SSOPS. SSOPS are performed, at a minimum, at the frequency described on the master sanitation schedule.
It is also possible to find somewhat less detailed, eg -
SSOP Plan.pdf 1.48MB 444 downloads
ISO has Procedures and Work Instructions. SSOP seems to (may) have some of both.