9 replies to this topic

[RhiannonVK]

Hello, we use a separate lunch/break trailer at our facility. There is no sink in the trailer, however upon re-entry into the main building there is a handwashing station and a requirement to wash hands with appropriate signage. 

 

Do we need to have a sink in the lunch trailer or is the handwashing requirement sufficient? The lunch trailer has drinking water, fridge and microwave but no sink. Employees use their own dishes and cutlery and bring them home for washing or use disposable plates and cutlery if needed. 

 

We are planning on having our first SQF audit in the winter and I'm wondering if this is something that is a hard requirement. Thank you!

[RhiannonVK]

Hello, we use a separate lunch/break trailer at our facility. There is no sink in the trailer, however upon re-entry into the main building there is a handwashing station and a requirement to wash hands with appropriate signage. 

 

Do we need to have a sink in the lunch trailer or is the handwashing requirement sufficient? The lunch trailer has drinking water, fridge and microwave but no sink. Employees use their own dishes and cutlery and bring them home for washing or use disposable plates and cutlery if needed. 

 

We are planning on having our first SQF audit in the winter and I'm wondering if this is something that is a hard requirement. Thank you!

[SQFconsultant]

You'll need a sink for utensil, etc washing in the trailer. A portable one is fine. Depending on location of hw sink to SQF code in facility that should be fine.

 

You could argue that employees take there stuff home to wash but why bother when you can just get a sink.

[G M]

Yes, it's a requirement.  You're looking at 11.3.5.9.iii in 9th edition:

 

11.3.5 Staff Amenities (change rooms, toilets, break rooms)

11.3.5.9 Separate break rooms shall be provided away from food contact/handling zones. Break rooms shall be:

iii. Equipped with a sink serviced with hot and cold potable water for washing utensils;

[RhiannonVK]

You'll need a sink for utensil, etc washing in the trailer. A portable one is fine. Depending on location of hw sink to SQF code in facility that should be fine.

 

You could argue that employees take there stuff home to wash but why bother when you can just get a sink.

 

We were hoping to avoid this due to cost but we might have to give in. If we didn't have it in place at time of audit would it be a major or a minor finding?

 

Thank you for your help

[SQFconsultant]

We were hoping to avoid this due to cost but we might have to give in. If we didn't have it in place at time of audit would it be a major or a minor finding?
Thank you for your help

...

It would be a minor.

But seriously you really don't want to start stacking minors - because other things will pop up and wouldn't really suck if that item that you knew about already was the one that pushed your grade down.

Seen this way too often in my 20 years of SQF.

Just tell ownership to put the cash out.

[RhiannonVK]

It would be a minor.

But seriously you really don't want to start stacking minors - because other things will pop up and wouldn't really suck if that item that you knew about already was the one that pushed your grade down.

Seen this way too often in my 20 years of SQF.

Just tell ownership to put the cash out.

 

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I am trying! Thank you for your help again :)

[kingstudruler1]

not for hand washing, but it is required.  

 

11.3.5.9 Separate break rooms shall be provided away from food contact/handling zones. Break rooms shall be: i. Ventilated and well lit; ii. Provided with adequate tables and seating to cater for the maximum number of staff at one sitting; iii. Equipped with a sink serviced with hot and cold potable water for washing utensils; iv. Equipped with refrigeration and heating facilities, enabling staff to store or heat food and to prepare non-alcoholic beverages if required; and v. Kept clean and free from waste materials and pests

[jfrey123]

The breakroom sink for utensils is easily overlooked but a strict requirement that will land you a minor.  Idea is that employees need to be able to wash their utensils so pests aren't attracted to their dirty utensils.  Even if you tried to argue it since it's a detached trailer and puts your plant at less risk, this one is black and white and they're not going to cave.

 

At the beginning of August, I got to go up to one of my company's plants with a corporate team to help them review and prepare for their SQF audit window.  When I entered the breakroom, they had 3 separate sinks marked with "hand wash only" signs someone in QA had recently applied.  Recommended they remove the signs, as those should be used for utensils, and employees have a large number of hand wash basins down the stairs from the breakroom where they don their smocks before entering production.  I'd say the sinks marked for hand wash only and not permitting utensil washing would have been a minor.

[jcieslowski]

Just tell ownership to put the cash out.

 

If I was auditing your facility and the management wasn't even willing to pay for a sink, I'd be real concerned about the level of management commitment.  I know that SQF expenses pile up and I hate to make it seem like it's a 'pay the price' to get the certification kind of deal, but if you're not willing to put a sink in, what else are you not willing to do for food safety?    It's just a real bad look.