7 replies to this topic

[QAKat]

Hello, 

 

If we were to get trained on how to remove and change the glue boards for the light traps and tin cats by the pest control technician would we then be able to change them? In our SQF audit this past September we were changing the light trap glue boards on our own as was needed and the auditor saw that and he asked if we were trained to do it. I am just not sure if training from the tech would be enough. The tech filled out the training form and I took pictures of evidence of the training.

 

Thank you in advance :)

 

Happy holidays to all.

[G M]

We've always maintained the glue boards in the lights ourselves.  They don't contain anything toxic and no one has ever suggested it required training to figure out a sticky piece of cardboard. 

 

Do your glue boards contain pesticide?

 

Our floor traps are just mechanical, but the pest service maintains those along with the exterior units.

[QAKat]

We've always maintained the glue boards in the lights ourselves.  They don't contain anything toxic and no one has ever suggested it required training to figure out a sticky piece of cardboard. 

 

Do your glue boards contain pesticide?

 

Our floor traps are just mechanical, but the pest service maintains those along with the exterior units.

Hi GM, 

 

Per the SDS neither contain any pesticides or toxic chemicals. We explained that to the auditor but he didn't budge he just kept asking if we were trained. When we answered "no" he just said we shouldn't be changing them ourselves and we didn't understand why. We got training from the tech so I hope it's enough.

 

Thank you!

[Scotty_SQF]

Interesting as you are not acting as an internal pest controller technically.  You are just changing glue boards.  Do you have to be licensed to change those technically?  Are you documenting your findings when you change the boards?  Maybe the auditor was hinting around based on that as that is in the code.  Or maybe are you trained on proper disposal of the pest should you happen to find one?  Did you receive a non-conformance for it?  

 

Our pest control contractor handles all of that stuff, so I have personally never run into it.  Figured if we are paying for a service, we might as well let them do it all and report it.  

[Scampi]

what do you do with any critters you find in the tin cats?   If I were an auditor, that would be my #1 concern.  The items in BOLD will be the (pardon the pun) sticking points

 

The code is pretty clear on what is required

Pest contractors and/or internal pest controllers shall:

i. Be licensed and approved by the local relevant authority;

ii. Use only trained and qualified operators, who comply with regulatory requirements;

iii. Use only approved chemicals;

iv. Provide a pest prevention plan (refer to  .3.2.8), which includes a site map, indicating the location of bait stations traps and other applicable pest control/monitoring devices;

v. Report to a responsible authorized person on entering the premises and after the completion of inspections or treatments;

vi. Provide regular inspections for pest activity with appropriate action taken if pests are present, and

vii. Provide a written report of their findings and the inspections and treatments applied.

[QAKat]

Interesting as you are not acting as an internal pest controller technically.  You are just changing glue boards.  Do you have to be licensed to change those technically?  Are you documenting your findings when you change the boards?  Maybe the auditor was hinting around based on that as that is in the code.  Or maybe are you trained on proper disposal of the pest should you happen to find one?  Did you receive a non-conformance for it?  

 

Our pest control contractor handles all of that stuff, so I have personally never run into it.  Figured if we are paying for a service, we might as well let them do it all and report it.  

Scotty_SQF: So we started doing this because we wanted to trend how many pests (excluding rodents) the sticky traps would catch, but the portal and trends that the pest control service offered did not have that. They were only trending the exterior and interior tin cats for rodents. We created a log where we document ONLY what the interior traps catch once a week so we can trend it. If the glue boards don't have many pests than we leave it for the tech, if they do then that's when we change them. Same with the light traps. 

 

Now if we were to find a rodent on one of the interior tin cats we would definitely not do that on our own, we would call the company to come in ASAP. 

 

As for the disposal of the pests (roaches, crickets, flies, etc.) per the training from the pest control tech he just folded the sticky traps and threw them away?? He is the pro so I am not sure wether that's the correct method. 

 

what do you do with any critters you find in the tin cats?   If I were an auditor, that would be my #1 concern.  The items in BOLD will be the (pardon the pun) sticking points

 

The code is pretty clear on what is required

Pest contractors and/or internal pest controllers shall:

i. Be licensed and approved by the local relevant authority;

ii. Use only trained and qualified operators, who comply with regulatory requirements;

iii. Use only approved chemicals;

iv. Provide a pest prevention plan (refer to  .3.2.8), which includes a site map, indicating the location of bait stations traps and other applicable pest control/monitoring devices;

v. Report to a responsible authorized person on entering the premises and after the completion of inspections or treatments;

vi. Provide regular inspections for pest activity with appropriate action taken if pests are present, and

vii. Provide a written report of their findings and the inspections and treatments applied.

SCAMPI: Hmmm, now that I see it, it makes a lot of sense lol. We are not trained by relevant authority, but I still question the changing on the glue boards especially if they are non toxic or have any hazardous chemicals. Thats all we are doing. Anything else we call or wait for the monthly pest control service. 

 

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate the help and this community. 

[TylerJones]

Hi QAKat,

 

Here is an approach / reason as why not do it internally from expeience:

 

I once took over the IPM program for my plant. We were BRC certifed at the time. I went and got my QAL through the state of California so I could do all pest control. That opened a can of worms when it came to my auditor. Now with the certificate I was able to open all traps / glue boards and bait stations, I was also the lead on the BRC audit. Our SOP stated nobody could touch pest control devices without a valid QAL in the state. My auditor was from out of state and we were doing our perimter walk and he had me open every single bait station looking for pest activity since he could not touch them. From that point on I went to outside contractors for this and they are not opened during audits. Somethings seem easier on paper, but by doing more in-house could make somethings difficult. I'll never forget that!

[G M]

... My auditor was from out of state and we were doing our perimter walk and he had me open every single bait station looking for pest activity since he could not touch them. ...

 

That seems gratuitous.  With our SQF auditors they'll ask to observe some fraction of the metal/xray inspection device verifications -- I wouldn't expect anything different for other equipment, just a small % to demonstrate the principles.