4 replies to this topic

[jlm]

Now that it's summer, it gets really hot in our warehouse. We mainly have boxes and packaging stored in it, and this is used for our food products. The doors to the outside of the warehouse are all open, and only one has a screen on it. I have said this is an issue because we are allowing any pest to enter the warehouse, but the boss is okay with this because the employees are getting too hot. I guess they don't want to spend the money getting screens on all the doors right now, either. What would you do in this situation?

[Scampi]

you're in a tough spot on this one

 

with the attitude your getting from the boss nothing you do will change the outlook

 

record a deviation stating that you brought it up and that it was an issue--ideally make the boss sign off (which isn't likely to happen)  file it and be done with it

 

you could also send an email that included regulatory or GFSI codes that he isn't complying with 

 

 

likely best option is to get a different job

[jfrey123]

Your pest policies and food defense programs should be written to disallow open doors, as they're a hazard allowing pests of the 6, 4 and 2 legged variety.  Screens are troublesome as they're generally flimsy and easily rip/tear, but you can implement an inspection protocol to make sure they stay in good repair to keep vermin out.  You still run into troubles with possible air contamination, so you'd need to be able to address that hazard.

 

If open doors do indeed violate your policies, write them up in your internal audits to CYA.  As mentioned above, you can cite your relevant GFSI codes in your finding to give your point more teeth.  Management commitment is huge on issues like this, as a lack of commitment to the codes puts your facility at risk.

 

You're not alone in this issue though.  I had to deal with an almost identical issue in my first QA job.  Owners wanted to open doors for cooling, and their remedy was simply "we'll close the door anytime we have an auditor come through, so don't flag it."  They were new to GFSI schemes, and with a lot of work (and the plant manager on my side), we were able to get the owners to come along and improve their habits.  It was hard, but it worked out in the long run.

[Zaynna]

This is a tough one.

 

We had a similar situation recently. AC unit in a plant is out of service so the staff open up the shutters to get cooler air in the filling/packing area. No top management had any concerns with it even though it was flagged in GMP audit.

 

Public Health department came for a regulatory visit and flagged it as a point of concern so we had to deal with it ASAP.

 

But of course, the company had to be willing to do a little spending to correct the issue.

 

Until the AC unit can be repaired, we have put plastic curtain barriers at all the shutters so whether or not the shutters are open there is a barrier. We have also procured additional standing fans so that all persons in the area can get adequate cooling without having to feel the need to open the shutters unnecessarily. Lastly, all the windows that open externally were screened so that they can be opened with minimal risk to ensure the proper circulation of cool air without roasting the employees.

 

So until the damaged AC unit can be replaced we just have to maintain the plastic curtain barrier. Every time a forklift tears one, we have it replaced.

 

So I recommended that as the other individuals said, document it in internal inspections and site against the GFSI and regulatory requirements. And I hope your boss will listen to reason and address the situation.

[Hoosiersmoker]

Write it as noncompliant in your audit(s) and explain to the owners / Upper Management that it could be considered a system failure since management is giving approval of a clear major violation repeatedly and refuses to comply with their own food safety program.