SQF 11.6.1.5 Temporary storage

Under SQF 11.6.1.5. What all do I need to include in my risk analysis for temporary storage of equipment. For example having old equipment in the dock area until it can be removed. Or right now, we're in the process of replacing our racking in our coolers. The new racking (not put together) is being stored in the cooler until it is installed.

The statement in 11.6.1.5 that makes me question things - "designed for safe storage of goods".

Also how do you validate equipment in temporary locations. (11.6.1.6)

Your facility and sanitation programs should already state that when equipment is brought into a processing area, it would be inspected and cleaned before use, hence addressing risks related to how it was stored previously. It's either stored in a clean and great place where it's kept ready for use, or it's cleaned if it comes from somewhere less ideal.

You can have a boneyard outside for old equipment if you wanted to, provided it didn't create a pest issue. Again, you don't need a risk analysis for temporary storage of equipment, other than showing that you already have a policy in place to make sure it's clean and inspected before brought back into use that addresses the risk.

Example, your sanitation program would state:

"Clean, inspected equipment shall be stored in [place] until ready for use. Should equipment be stored outside of [place] due to lack of use, temporary, or overflow conditions, it must be cleaned and inspected according to this procedure before being brought back into service to ensure there is no adverse effect on food safety"