Hey All
I did post this in another thread yesterday but i feel it may have run it course and I'm interested to hear peoples thoughts on my query!
We recently received a customer non conformance because employees did not wash their hands after a comfort break. This has lead me to review our current personnel hygiene policy. I'm insisting that we now state within our policy that all employees (I don't want separate policies for separate work areas)must wash their hands at the start of each shift, after lunch and breaks and of course after using the bathroom (Signs are already up illustrating this requirement), after blowing nose, coughing and sneezing etc as well as any time your hands become dirty. The senior managers have stated this is impractical due to the high numbers of employees who go on breaks at any one time. They don't want queue's forming at bathrooms to wash hands before going back into the operational areas!
I have been asked about the possibility of installing hand sanitizers at the entrances to each work area. However, I've heard all sort of issues surrounding the use of gels and foams in the fact that its use should be intended as an extra rather than a replacement to hand washing.
In terms of contamination to food products we are very low risk as all our products are all finished goods and we only make changes to the outer packaging within our contract packing area, your thoughts on this subject would be very much appreciated.