What kind of questions can you expect an auditor to ask shop floor staff?

Hi all,

We haven audit at the end of next month and was wondering what I should be briefing staff on with regards to what kind of questions the auditor may ask them. If anyone has any ideas please share.

Thanks

When they need to wash hands

who they would go to with a food safety issue

what the CCP (if any is)

For your technical inspectors, how they do the inspection tasks and what would they do if the inspection was in deviation

Make sure they understand that "I'd check the procedure" and "I'd ask my supervisor" are usually reasonable answers to give if they don't know the answer to the question they're being asked.

Common to get questions about the task they're doing (e.g. procedures, records, work instructions), training, protective clothing they're wearing, hygiene rules, HACCP (or HARA, in the case of packaging) if they're doing something for which that is relevant.

If they're doing something that looks "wrong" (wearing jewellery where it is banned, for example) then that can also often be the source of a question or two, but hopefully this is one you'll not have to encounter ;)

The other key thing to emphasise is that they don't need to panic, it's not an exam/grilling - so many people get flustered by an auditor talking to them and instantly forget everything as a result. IMEX auditors are usually pretty good about this, but you can reassure everyone in advance.

When they need to wash hands

who they would go to with a food safety issue

what the CCP (if any is)

 

For your technical inspectors, how they do the inspection tasks and what would they do if the inspection was in deviation

Make sure they understand that "I'd check the procedure" and "I'd ask my supervisor" are usually reasonable answers to give if they don't know the answer to the question they're being asked.

 

Common to get questions about the task they're doing (e.g. procedures, records, work instructions), training, protective clothing they're wearing, hygiene rules, HACCP (or HARA, in the case of packaging) if they're doing something for which that is relevant.

 

If they're doing something that looks "wrong" (wearing jewellery where it is banned, for example) then that can also often be the source of a question or two, but hopefully this is one you'll not have to encounter ;)

 

The other key thing to emphasise is that they don't need to panic, it's not an exam/grilling - so many people get flustered by an auditor talking to them and instantly forget everything as a result. IMEX auditors are usually pretty good about this, but you can reassure everyone in advance.

Brilliant, thanks both for the replies :)

How would they address a stranger entering your facility?

This is a great one.
I've had auditors try to gain access before announcing they've arrived, to directly test training/response.

Our auditors and inspectors usually question those workers whom we point to - due to language barrier (very convenient thing, I would say). Questions have always been quite simple and related to their particular duties and some hygiene matter, nothing complicated.

Make sure they understand that "I'd check the procedure" and "I'd ask my supervisor" are usually reasonable answers to give if they don't know the answer to the question they're being asked.

...

The other key thing to emphasise is that they don't need to panic, it's not an exam/grilling - so many people get flustered by an auditor talking to them and instantly forget everything as a result. IMEX auditors are usually pretty good about this, but you can reassure everyone in advance.

Along those lines for questions they don't know the answer to, or are uncertain of, "I will ask my supervisor and get back to you" ... then make sure they actually follow up with the answer.

where is the msds kept

How do you complete and record your PM? Let me see your PM Schedule

Having just gone through an SQF audit, our auditor talked to 2 people on the facility floor.  One line worker he asked how long she had worked there, how often she washed her hands, and a little bit about her general duties.  The other person was a forklift driver.  He asked about stock rotation, how trucks were received and how items were stored in the dry warehouse.

Hi,

If an auditor were to ask a question and an employee on the floor gave a wrong answer, would this lead to a non-conformance? 

It would probably depend on the nature of the question and answer, but just wondering if in general anyone has had points knocked off due to an employee answering an auditor's question incorrectly.

Hi,

 

If an auditor were to ask a question and an employee on the floor gave a wrong answer, would this lead to a non-conformance? 

 

It would probably depend on the nature of the question and answer, but just wondering if in general anyone has had points knocked off due to an employee answering an auditor's question incorrectly.

It depends on the type of question and the severity of the (potential) impact (and the seniority of the auditor).
If you employee states that a metal detector is optional....yeah not good.
But if thought the delivery was from yesterday, while it was actually today. It should be fine.

There have absolutely been audits were points were deducted from employee's answering wrong. And most likely this is not the employee's fault but rather the (lack off) training, awareness or quality culture.