17 replies to this topic

[Rozeken]

Hello,

we are trying to get certified by the BRC-IOP standard, categorie B.

In section 7.2.2 stands: 'Locker rooms shall be accessed without the need to enter production areas. Company issued protective clothing and personal clothing shall not be stored in the same locker or locker compartment'.

Is it really necessary to have a double locker for each working member of our company?
That would result in a great investment...

Are ther any possibilities to avoid this requirement?

Thanks for your help!
Anja (from Belgium)

[johnwhittaker]

I think you will need two lockers for everyone. Its the easiest way to ensure that personal clothing and laundered clothing remain segregated.
We are currently aiming for Category B certification, and have a laundered workwear system in place. As part of the contract the company we have used supply us with individual lockers for the workwear, personal clothing and belongings are stored in each member of staffs personal locker.

[SAM]

Although we are a food company, we have single lockers for all staff that is seperated down the middle with a partition.

This seems to be suitable for BRC - Food standard!

[yorkshire]

Again another food company and we have separate lockers ( and rooms ) for outside and overall storage (we are not high risk). This is fine for the BRC food but I think that the minimum is a split locker.

[Simon]

Hi Anja,

Rather than having two lockers for each person I would try if possible to have a single split locker as Sam discussed - just personal preference. John talks about a 'laundered workwear system' which for category B suppliers is a requirement under 7.7.4 "Controlled laundering of clothing shall be carried out."

I don't know how you intend to manage this (in-house / outsource) however a common method is to rent the clothing from a professional laundry company who will collect the dirty overalls and bring clean ones at regular intervals. These companies can also supply or rent the lockers to you as part of the contract. I have attached an image of the 'perfect' single locker system that would be suitable to meet the requirements of the standard as well as the recommendations on good practice for lockers.

The only way around this is to provide employees with a daily change of clothing and then their dirty / soiled workwear could go straight in for laundering at the end of their shift. At then end of the day it's down to price and space but the requirement will need to be met.

Hopefully other members will tell us about their systems.

Regards,
Simon

[Rozeken]

Thanks for the advice!

[SAM]

Just one word of warning when using a contract laundry.

Read the contract very carefully. We are currently trying to get out of a contract, but all sorts of problems are cropping up. Such as not having a site contract but a contract per person. Where we have had new employees start and a set of overalls for them, the contract starts from then for that set, so while some contracts are coming up for renewal, anyone who has started in the last 6 months needs to run for another 6 months

Confused yet?

Also the lockers they supply have not been up to the job, with doors falling off and locks seizing up, although they belong to the laundry apparently we are responsible for their up keep and will be charged a ridiculous rate to get them fixed/replaced.

Nadine.

[Simon]

Excellent advice Nadine

Regards,
Simon

[johnwhittaker]

Whilst were on the subject of laundered workwear i thought i might mention headgear. When it comes to head gear you have to be very careful. The contractors will happily sign you up even if the product they supply is not suitable for the job, but then your stuck with them on the contract. If you take my advice go for disposables.

[Simon]

If you take my advice go for disposables.

Without doubt John - disposable hairnets etc. are the cost effective option. I think about £20 for 1,000 last time I priced them. You can get different colours too.

Regards,
Simon

[Claudia_QP]

I have attached an image of the 'perfect' single locker system that would be suitable to meet the requirements of the standard as well as the recommendations on good practice for lockers

Could you please indicate where is this image available?

[Estrellita3]

Can somebody post the picture of the lockers needed. Also, My company is looking for a BRC consultant for Peru. If anyone knows a good one that works in south america. I will really appreciate that informaction. Thank you!

[Simon]

The exact locker configuration would depend on your change policy.

If you have a daily change of workwear then this could work.

 

Each employee has a top horizontal  locker for clean unworn workwear.

And a vertical locker for personal clothing.

Then at the end of the shift dirty workwear is put in the wash.

 

 lockers.jpg   177.05KB   0 downloads

 

 

 

[trubertq]

Hmmm... in the companies I work in we have a single locker system whereby the operators put their outdoor clothing and personal items in their locker in the cloakroom and then walk to the high risk changing area where they remove shoes, place them on the designated shoe rack,, put on head gear , cross the barrier, put on high risk footwear, wash hands then put on clean high risk coats which have been placed on racks at the entrance to the final hand washing area. 

 

Only one locker required.

 

Coats are not designated to each person . works well and is BRC ( Food Standard) approved.

[Setanta]

Hmmm... in the companies I work in we have a single locker system whereby the operators put their outdoor clothing and personal items in their locker in the cloakroom and then walk to the high risk changing area where they remove shoes, place them on the designated shoe rack,, put on head gear , cross the barrier, put on high risk footwear, wash hands then put on clean high risk coats which have been placed on racks at the entrance to the final hand washing area. 

 

Only one locker required.

 

Coats are not designated to each person . works well and is BRC ( Food Standard) approved.

This thread started out over 10 years ago....I'm guessing that the lockers needed have been since consolidated.  

[Simon]

This thread started out over 10 years ago....I'm guessing that the lockers needed have been since consolidated.  

 

OMG where's my life gone.

[Setanta]

OMG where's my life gone.

[Setanta]

Oops! sorry!  It's much the same for me!