11 replies to this topic

[Brendar4024]

Hello,

Our company has a lot of food safety sign/GMP posters and signs located in our facility. Do they need to have a document control number and date?  Can we use a date only or do we not need that at all.  We are SQF Certified and were unsure if we could get caught up with a controlled versus uncontrolled documentation situation.

 

Thank you,

Brenda

[olenazh]

Hi Brenda, welcome to the forum! I don't think signs/posters are documents - thus, they don't need any signoffs or version numbers, dates, etc. 

[kingstudruler1]

Hi Brenda, welcome to the forum! I don't think signs/posters are documents - thus, they don't need any signoffs or version numbers, dates, etc. 

  

 

I agree.  

[Brendar4024]

Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it!

Brenda

[Charles.C]

So how do you/people/OSHA know if it's the current version on the wall ??

[olenazh]

So how do you/people/OSHA know if it's the current version on the wall ??

OK, good point, but on the other hand - how do everybody know that the date or version number indicates that this poster is current? Say, there was no changes/updates on OSHA or safety regulations, and the date on the poster is old (e.g. 2018), but information is current. Should QA or whoever responsible update those dates to demonstrate this poster is still current? It's a heck lot of work, isn't it? 

[TylerJones]

Master document list keeps track of current versions / dates so whoever does your document control would do that. Internal audits would help make sure the right documents are given to employees or hung on the wall. Food Safety / Personnel Safety is a ton of work! 

[olenazh]

Master document list keeps track of current versions / dates so whoever does your document control would do that. Internal audits would help make sure the right documents are given to employees or hung on the wall. Food Safety / Personnel Safety is a ton of work! 

Now, you're talking about documented policies/procedures like, for instance, Visitor Policy, right? That is different from sings - like, say, "DO NOT ENTER. AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY" or something similar. Both are hung on the wall, however when the first one does need a date, the latter does not.

[TylerJones]

No- I'm talking about any company document or resource poster such as what Charles C mentioned. 

[olenazh]

Initial question was about "food safety sign/GMP posters and signs" I'm attaching some samples of food safety signs and GMP posters. Do you think, they need to be dated?

Attached Files

•  GMP POSTER-2.docx   23.31KB   53 downloads
•  FOOD SAFETY RULES.docx   12.23KB   47 downloads
•  DO NOT PUSH SKIDS.docx   13.04KB   30 downloads
•  GMP POSTER-1.docx   770.37KB   35 downloads

[Duncan]

If the content of the signs/posters includes any kind of instruction that forms part of your QMS, I would think it would be necessary to apply version control. It's also a good idea to maintain a list of locations where any signs have been put on display (with version references) so that if you update the signs in the future you can account for previous versions and replace with updated copies.

 

I have personally seen a food manufacturer get a non-conformity at BRCGS audit because the Food Safety and Quality Policy on display in one of the canteens was a superseded version.

[Charles.C]

If the content of the signs/posters includes any kind of instruction that forms part of your QMS, I would think it would be necessary to apply version control. It's also a good idea to maintain a list of locations where any signs have been put on display (with version references) so that if you update the signs in the future you can account for previous versions and replace with updated copies.

 

I have personally seen a food manufacturer get a non-conformity at BRCGS audit because the Food Safety and Quality Policy on display in one of the canteens was a superseded version.

Hi Duncan,

 

I agree and would anticipate that most of OP's Posters would "by definition" be part of the FSMS  although I must admit to having seen many Safety/HACCP related Posters/Banners on Production floors which were simply that, ie  unversioned. And were afaik auditor uncommented.

 

I daresay that GFSI (rightly or wrongly) is perhaps less "stringent" on documentation as compared to, say, ISO9001 (or OSHA ?).

 

I guess a Policy Statement is a rather attractive/easy target.