30 replies to this topic

[kfromNE]

New from the FDA -

The purpose of this guidance is to state the current intent of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, we, or the Agency), in certain circumstances related to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), not to enforce requirements in three foods regulations to conduct onsite audits of food suppliers if other supplier verification methods are used instead. 

 

https://www.fda.gov/...m_source=Eloqua

[Heidi_SQF]

Our SQF audit has been cancelled for next week and I hvae submitted paperwork to request an extension.

 

How are your companies handling Shipping and Receiving drivers?  My departments have been concerned how to specifically handle that.  I have provided them guidelines and suggestions based on CDC and government guidelines, but would love to hear what other precautions are being taken to protect your employees.

 

TIA

[kettlecorn]

Our SQF audit has been cancelled for next week and I hvae submitted paperwork to request an extension.

 

How are your companies handling Shipping and Receiving drivers?  My departments have been concerned how to specifically handle that.  I have provided them guidelines and suggestions based on CDC and government guidelines, but would love to hear what other precautions are being taken to protect your employees.

 

TIA

 

Considering that a Covid-19 expert from the UK, Neil Ferguson, just announced that he is self-isolating because he has come down with symptoms, I don't think it's premature--and I'm going to put this in place this week for our shipping and receiving departments--to demand as policy that drivers at all times remain at least six feet away from all employees. This shouldn't be a problem as long as there is a dedicated station to handle paperwork (which employees and drivers can use separately) and as long as employees follow cGMPs otherwise. 

[Longshot]

Our SQF audit has been cancelled for next week and I hvae submitted paperwork to request an extension.

 

How are your companies handling Shipping and Receiving drivers?  My departments have been concerned how to specifically handle that.  I have provided them guidelines and suggestions based on CDC and government guidelines, but would love to hear what other precautions are being taken to protect your employees.

 

TIA

 

We have established additional procedures to further segregate staff, paperwork, and/or any other contact (cross-contamination) risks by placing additional, very limited, "hard" restrictions for drivers on their ability to move or traverse about our facility (inside and out).  A more restrictive entry area (4ft x 8ft area) where drivers and staff are separated by in excess of 6 feet using tables as a physical barrier (hand sanitizers and wipes placed on the tables with instructions for use upon arrival).  We marked with cones more restrictive wayfaring pathway outside for drivers to remain within. We have contracted a "port-a-potty" portable restroom placed within the wayfaring area outside for drivers use (we have cut off access to a previously accessible restroom that both drivers and staff would use to staff only.  We have reduced the exchange of paperwork as much as possible, reaching agreements with our customers that only essential transportation paperwork will be provided to drivers and other paperwork is exchanged electronically agreeing that electronic receipt and response is an acceptable substitution for previously signed exchanges of paperwork between ourselves and suppliers/customers.  Paperwork left by drivers for our use have additional safe handling procedures and restricted placement locations.  Staff have been instructed on all CDC guidelines and provided additional supplies (Hand Sanitizers, Wipes, gloves specific for handling arriving documents if necessary, signage, etc.).

 

Thoughts?

[AC2018]

We just talked about this today with management. We are also thinking of placing additional restrictions on drivers including keeping a 6 ft. distance, sanitizing hands upon entering (before signing in), dropping off paperwork in a designated spot, etc. I like everything that Longshot and kettlecorn are doing. We have identified drivers as our current top risk visitor during this time as well. 

[MommaJones]

Like pretty much everyone else on this topic, we have closed our facility to all but essential visitors. The truck drivers usually are allowed to use our restrooms with someone escorting them (they're pretty far from the dock). But we posted a sign that we're not allowing that for the time being. We also reached out to the sales team informing them to cancel all visits. The only ones allowed in are our pest service and delivery people like USPS.