Major Installations Occurring During Audit
Howdy y'all,
During our scheduled audit this year it's looking like we're going to be having some major equipment installations occurring during the 2-day audit. I was told the installations were going to occur before the audit but just my luck they're potentially going to be happening during the audit.
I just wanted to pick your brains as to how you would manage this or have managed situations like this in the past. I'm thinking that I'm going to dictate to my team that those two days will be off-limits to installation activities and put hold tags on the new machinery, but I'm not sure if this will be possible.
Any ideas you have will be greatly appreciated!
Ensure that the contractor has been rated, approved, and evaluated; agreement to your companies policies and rules. Insurance on file, etc.
Agree with jd. You'll also need a "containment plan" for the contractors......
are they travelling through production areas,
is the installation going to involve welding,
if it's tarped off who's maintaining the tarp;
training records for the contractors;
sanitary design checklists for the new equipment,
sanitation SSOPs at least started,
manual on file from the manufacturer for each piece of equipment
Speaking from experience, assisted with commissioning a facility last year and work was occurring while we were running, not ideal but manageable. Tell your CB ahead of time, and also be upfront with the auditor. That way you're in the drivers seat and there shouldn't be any surprises
As a former SQF Auditor I conducted a bunch of audits where work was being done at time of the walk thru and with the exception of one facility all were fullt in compliance and had no effect on the audit.
The one that was downgraded was due to the fact that they did not have the contractors following their own requirements which included the contractors smoking and eating in the facility.
Ensure -
- Contractor Agreements
- GMP training / demonstration for contractors
- right attire & GMPs during the time of installation
- Maintenance equipment Log/check (count/suitability)
- define & confine the installation site
- MSDS / food grade certificates for lubricants/chemicals used for installation
to be in place.
azaam
Hi FSQ Guy,
It maybe a good idea to give somebody, who works nearby the installation area, the following task. To supervise whether the practical side of the installation is being in conformance with all what's been mentioned above.
This person will be trained by you and needs to be present during the audit period. Then you are highly prepared for the audit and a correct handling during the installation as well.
Kind regards,
Gerard Heerkens