11 replies to this topic

[dave1971mufc]

Hi All,

 

Looking for a bit of advice....

We recently had our BRCGS Packaging audit and during the inspection of the changing rooms the auditor noted one of the lockers had the keys present.

He then proceeded to open the locker to inspect the contents.

My question is are auditors entitled to open lockers? If so then can this be standard practice for the company to perform?

We have an issue of employees storing food etc in lockers so it would certainly help with the 'threat' of performing random inspections....

 

Thanks in advance

[olenazh]

I've never experienced that - though, as soon as your employees are supposed to be trained to follow hygiene, GMP, food safety & security, etc. rules (e.g. no food in lockers to prevent pest attraction, keep clean, no weapon or other potential threat) I guess an auditor may ask you or an employee to open their locker for observation. It's a common practice for companies to perform regular locker inspections to ensure employees' awareness in hygiene and other practices.

[QualityKel]

With my experience in SQF and FSSC 22000, they can open lockers. I understood this as, if the locker is unlocked, they can inspect. Although food and drinks should not be in lockers, if it is locked, the inspector is not able to go into the locker. 

[SQFconsultant]

Hi All,

 

Looking for a bit of advice....

We recently had our BRCGS Packaging audit and during the inspection of the changing rooms the auditor noted one of the lockers had the keys present.

He then proceeded to open the locker to inspect the contents.

My question is are auditors entitled to open lockers? If so then can this be standard practice for the company to perform?

We have an issue of employees storing food etc in lockers so it would certainly help with the 'threat' of performing random inspections....

 

Thanks in advance

 

It was standard routine practice when I was an Auditor to randomly open lockers and most companies make lockers subject to inspection.

 

And, of course your Auditor can open your lockers and inspect them.

 

And, yes, this is a standard practice for most companies.

 

Just add a note into your locker room practices, GMPs etc about what can and what can not be stored in lockers and even though I doubt that legally you are required to do so, you may want to add that because the lockers are the property of the company they are subject to inspection with or without the employees permission or presense.

[SQFconsultant]

With my experience in SQF and FSSC 22000, they can open lockers. I understood this as, if the locker is unlocked, they can inspect. Although food and drinks should not be in lockers, if it is locked, the inspector is not able to go into the locker. 

 

Hi, I have found that most companies issue the locks and thus have a master pass key to get into the lockers - and have policies governing inspection of lockers. Thus while conducting audits, Auditors can request the pass key be used to conduct inspections of lockers - just like if a room or chemical containment cabinet is used, the Auditor informs to unlock it.

[jkoratich712]

Although I have not been asked by an auditor to open lockers for inspection, I have been asked what our inspection and cleaning schedule is for employee lockers and to show documentation that we have done that. Once they see our records, they leave the subject alone. 

[Ryan M.]

I wouldn't threat, I would DO the inspections on a regular basis.  It should be part of your self-inspections, and/or auditing program.

[zoelawton]

This one has surprised me. 

 

Why is it food/drink isn't allowed in locked lockers but food is allowed freely in the staff room which any member of staff has access to, when they are the same area!

[TimG]

This one has surprised me. 

 

Why is it food/drink isn't allowed in locked lockers but food is allowed freely in the staff room which any member of staff has access to, when they are the same area!

Oddly enough, a place I previously worked at the locker room was not near the break room and you had to walk through the manufacturing process to get to it.

The main issue though would be the lack of control. I have my sani guy clean out the fridge and cupboards weekly just to be sure nothing is forgotten and left to get nasty (pest attractant). People who store food in their locker tend to forget about that, and you don't realize it until the smell gets bad or bugs are everywhere.

Ultimately though it depends on the place and hazard level associated with having food in the locker. I am relatively new to Texas (4 years) and during last years annual food defense review I said I wanted a locker inspection to take place. You would have thought I was taking away freedom itself..

[MsMars]

This one has surprised me. 

 

Why is it food/drink isn't allowed in locked lockers but food is allowed freely in the staff room which any member of staff has access to, when they are the same area!

 

I've been a couple of different places with different locker situations.  All lockers were always subject to inspection and Managment held combinations or keys.  One place the lockers were inside of large bathroom/dressing rooms so obviously no food was allowed; lunches and lunchboxes were stored in a separate cafeteria area.  Another place the lockers were directly adjacent to the break room and we allowed food that did not cross the "line" between this area and the warehouse. 

[Ryan M.]

The only time we really open and inspect lockers is to find plant supplies.  Many of our associates hoard supplies...gloves, safety glasses, cleaning pads, radios, etc.

 

I've always wondered what their homes look like in seeing the state of some of the lockers we've opened...

[Hoosiersmoker]

Our lockers are in the break area in our plant so there is no restriction on food. Also remember we are a food packaging manufacturer. I have all combinations, locker assignments and master keys to all lockers and, as they are company owned, reserve the right to search at any time. We have never had an auditor go into the locker area or ask any question other than do employees have a place to safely store personal items.