17 replies to this topic

[Carolina S.]

Hi everyone!

 

I work in a company that is certified by BRC Packaging only two years ago and in that time, because of covid, we must wear a mask.

Now the mask is not an obligation and our consultant recommended that we impose the use of beard protection for production operators. (we have a rule to use hair protection). 

I have already had the opportunity to visit other companies where the production operators do not use beard protection (but use hair protection)

 

So my questions are:

Do you impose the use of beard protection in production area?

How do you justify to the BRC auditor the non-use of beard protection (since you impose hair protection)?

 

 

[RyH]

If you're using hair nets then I don't think you can justify not using beard nets. If hair is a risk then a beard is no different.

[kfromNE]

Yes to beard nets. While the company you visited didn't have wear them, did they have them. I've seen many times, rules don't get enforced unless an inspector is there.

[SQFconsultant]

Yes to beard nets and no to cancer causing face masks.

[Scampi]

if your risk analysis shows hair covering is required, then cover all the exposed hair, facial or otherwise

[Charles.C]

if your risk analysis shows hair covering is required, then cover all the exposed hair, facial or otherwise

IIRC not a significant (food) Safety Risk (previous discussions here) but how many hairs are allowed before Adulteration/Unwholesomeness/Customer Complaint.

Same as for Portuguese Rats ?

[mgourley]

Hi everyone!

 

I work in a company that is certified by BRC Packaging only two years ago and in that time, because of covid, we must wear a mask.

Now the mask is not an obligation and our consultant recommended that we impose the use of beard protection for production operators. (we have a rule to use hair protection). 

I have already had the opportunity to visit other companies where the production operators do not use beard protection (but use hair protection)

 

So my questions are:

Do you impose the use of beard protection in production area?

How do you justify to the BRC auditor the non-use of beard protection (since you impose hair protection)?

 

What does the BRCGS Packaging Standard say about this?

 

Marshall

[beautiophile]

What does the BRCGS Packaging Standard say about this?

 

Marshall

 

Clause 6.5.1

Hair coverings and/or beard snoods, where appropriate, shall be worn in production areas at sites manufacturing materials for direct contact with food or other hygiene-sensitive products.

 

Additional interpretation: The site should also establish rules for wearing beard snoods.

[Charles.C]

 

Clause 6.5.1

Hair coverings and/or beard snoods, where appropriate, shall be worn in production areas at sites manufacturing materials for direct contact with food or other hygiene-sensitive products.

 

Additional interpretation: The site should also establish rules for wearing beard snoods.

 

Hi beautiophile,

 

Thanks.

 

Seems the answer to OP was "You don't."

[G M]

Some of our facilities have always used a one-piece balaclava/hood style hair net.  We wanted to convert the others during covid, but occasionally struggled to supply even the traditional two pieces.

 

I'm crossing my fingers that with the increased interest in diversified supply for various types of PPE there will be more supply options for the one-piece units in the future.

[Setanta]

Beard nets should be worn if you mandate hair nets.

[steliosa]

Yes to beard nets and no to cancer causing face masks.

this is not a professional scientific reply! so disappointed!

[G M]

...

So my questions are:

Do you impose the use of beard protection in production area?

How do you justify to the BRC auditor the non-use of beard protection (since you impose hair protection)?

 

Another alternative is to disallow facial hair.  One of our overseas facilities does this.

 

With low labor availability this might be a challenging option, or trying to implement it at a facility that previously allowed it.

[RyH]

Another alternative is to disallow facial hair.  One of our overseas facilities does this.

 

With low labor availability this might be a challenging option, or trying to implement it at a facility that previously allowed it.

Hi G M

I'm not sure on employment law specific to Portugal (OP) but in the UK this would have to be part of site policy and included within the employees contract at the time of employment. If an employee has a beard for religious or medical reasons then this could be seen as discrimination.
Personally I wouldn't impose a no beard rule given how popular they are these days and as a beard wearer/grower myself, I probably wouldn't be thrilled about working for a business with this sort of policy, but that's just my personal opinion    

[Hoosiersmoker]

Hair is hair and the risk is the same (or higher), so if you require head hair nets...

[Charles.C]

Hair is hair and the risk is the same (or higher), so if you require head hair nets...

There is no specific safety risk. Foreign Materials Yes.

[Hoosiersmoker]

There is no specific safety risk. Foreign Materials Yes.

Charles.C, I did not specify "safety", just risk. There are always other risks to consider.

[Jim E.]

Agreed hair is hair and needs to be covered.  Funny story though, when this plant first opened and went into operation a moustache was not included in the rules, don't ask me why. A day's growth below the nose needed to be covered but a full moustache could go bare.  Rules finally changed to cover all when it was deemed necessary by corporate. However, even with all this hair coverage we still get an occasional hair complaint, off a smock or poorly covered hair who knows.