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Is it acceptable to have a hand washing station and chemical storage in the same location?

Started by , Aug 10 2020 04:38 AM
3 Replies

Handwashing station is in the same room as our chemical storage. Is this acceptable?

Chemical access is controlled by just me and they are in a ventilated storage.
Process is low risk ingredient high risk - if that matters.

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I would say there are (at least) two possible issues:

  1. Chemical spill: are chemicals well maintained and is there no risk of contaminating anything?
    Please note that hand washing stations also have a lot of traffic, which may cause more issues than other storage locations (e.g. bumping into containers which may lead to spills). Some chemicals can also be dangerous when spilled and/or mixed.
  2. Food defense: from a food defense point of view you do not want chemicals to be easily accessible. Your personal will acces the hand washing stations, making it easy to get a hold of chemicals for all kinds of malevolent use. While if chemicals are in a seperate locations with limited acces this risk is lowered. Some food safety standards also require of you to have chemicals in a seperate locked area

Check those two points for your own company. If there is no increased risk or other possibility for storage I would at least advice closed of storage bins (with locks).

After risk assessment as Marloes advised, and if you don't have any other choice - why not? One of my facilities doesn't have much space and store chemicals in an open area with all precautions, training, etc. CFIA had no objections so far...

Thank you both! The chemicals are in a chemical storage that is locked. There is a security camera in that room as well.
They are considered hazardous chemicals, something we only use once a year.

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