11 replies to this topic

[kevinkt]

I wrote a while back about wanting to separate the maintenance workshop from the rest of the facility. However, upper management does not want to spend the money to build a separate workshop next to the warehouse. We do not have much floor space in our warehouse for a totally enclosed workshop. What would be my options in term of satisfy auditors? We currently implement a tool and part accountability program and sanitation program for all parts going in and out. The only problem is that the maintenance area is about 15 feet from the door of one of the production room. There is no room to enclose the maintenance area. any help would be appreciated. thank you, 

[Charles.C]

I wrote a while back about wanting to separate the maintenance workshop from the rest of the facility. However, upper management does not want to spend the money to build a separate workshop next to the warehouse. We do not have much floor space in our warehouse for a totally enclosed workshop. What would be my options in term of satisfy auditors? We currently implement a tool and part accountability program and sanitation program for all parts going in and out. The only problem is that the maintenance area is about 15 feet from the door of one of the production room. There is no room to enclose the maintenance area. any help would be appreciated. thank you, 

 

It depends on yr level of confidence in being able to "sell" to an auditor that there is no significant risk of cross-contamination.

 

IMO also advisable to begin covering your back to potential (audit) fallout from Upper Management.

[kevinkt]

It depends on yr level of confidence in being able to "sell" to an auditor that there is no significant risk of cross-contamination.

 

IMO also advisable to begin covering your back to potential (audit) fallout from Upper Management.

thanks. That is tough. Every auditor is different, what constitutes as significant risk of cross contamination? I wish this was clear cut. very frustrating 

[QAGB]

I worked in a BRC certified facility. Our maintenance department was mostly enclosed (3 walls), with a full opening on one side to the production area. We separated the two areas by having heavy-duty (plastic?) curtain strips. We also had a designated general walkway between the production area and the maintenance department. We never had an auditor question it, but then again, we always got compliments on the maintenance department's cleanliness. I think that lowered any justification for an auditor to say that the maintenance department could cause potential contamination to the line.

[chany256]

You might want to surround the entire area of the maintenance with a hazmat - to gather any debris or fall outs there.  Have tool box with an inventory start and end after each job to account for any possible loose metal / plastic contaminants.  Daily cleaning of the maintenance environment and technicians wearing full gear even whilst in their 'area'.

 

It might help you sell it to the auditor through your risk assessment.  

 

Good luck!

[QAGB]

You might want to surround the entire area of the maintenance with a hazmat - to gather any debris or fall outs there.  Have tool box with an inventory start and end after each job to account for any possible loose metal / plastic contaminants.  Daily cleaning of the maintenance environment and technicians wearing full gear even whilst in their 'area'.

 

It might help you sell it to the auditor through your risk assessment.  

 

Good luck!

 

 

Hi Chany256,

 

What do you mean by surrounding the maintenance area with a hazmat?

[GMO]

Walls don't have to be thick or expensive.  White wall isn't that pricy or if they're neat and tidy even chain gates and walls could segregate the area.

 

I suspect the objection is more around not realising why it's needed.  Do any of your tools ever go missing?

[kevinkt]

Walls don't have to be thick or expensive.  White wall isn't that pricy or if they're neat and tidy even chain gates and walls could segregate the area.

 

I suspect the objection is more around not realising why it's needed.  Do any of your tools ever go missing?

putting up walls will be hard because part of the maintenance area is the entrance to the walk in refrigerator. We just do not have space for a fully enclosed maintenance area that can provide adequate ingress and egress. 

[GMO]

putting up walls will be hard because part of the maintenance area is the entrance to the walk in refrigerator. We just do not have space for a fully enclosed maintenance area that can provide adequate ingress and egress. 

 

Ok, are you cutting, drilling, grinding or welding?  If not it gets easier.  Perhaps instead you could have tool boxes (even large mobile ones) or a tool cupboard and as long as that is really well controlled... (and I mean really well, no missing bits etc) then it should be grand.  It's when you get into the higher risk activities that you ideally need a workshop or if they have to be done in plant you need processes to control and clean up.

 

Or as a different suggestion, could an off site portacabin be an alternative?

[kevinkt]

I wrote before about creating a dedicated maintenance area away from production rooms. I was able to secure a corner of the warehouse by the storage area to place the maintenance area. My question is if we screened off the area with a chain fence or welding screens with a lockable door, would this satisfy auditors? all other documented tool accountability and sanitation procedures would still be in place. I am just wondering if surrounding the maintenance area with screens would suffice. thank you 

[GMO]

I wrote before about creating a dedicated maintenance area away from production rooms. I was able to secure a corner of the warehouse by the storage area to place the maintenance area. My question is if we screened off the area with a chain fence or welding screens with a lockable door, would this satisfy auditors? all other documented tool accountability and sanitation procedures would still be in place. I am just wondering if surrounding the maintenance area with screens would suffice. thank you 

 

For me it all comes back to risk.  What are you intending to do in there?  Drilling, cutting and grinding and chain fences won't be enough IMO. 

[kevinkt]

For me it all comes back to risk.  What are you intending to do in there?  Drilling, cutting and grinding and chain fences won't be enough IMO. 

I was thinking instead of a chain fence using welding curtains to surround the maintenance area (example picture in the link below) I am wondering if this is enough? Welding does not happen very much and is more small repairs to drink dispensers and small machine parts

 

https://i1.wp.com/ww...dingcurtain.jpg