9 replies to this topic

[SQFperson01]

Hello Everyone,

 

The company I work for has recently had one of its metal tin cat traps replaced with a plastic one.  A concern has been brought to my attention about adding the new plastic trap to our glass and brittle plastic policy and inventory. 

 

https://www.domyown....ASABEgLHBPD_BwE

 

Posted above is the trap in question.  In the overview of the product it mentions that it is "Made of strong impact-resistant plastic."

 

My question is, should we / do we need to add it? 

 

Was hoping I might be able to get some feedback from this wonderful community.

 

Thanks,

 

SQFperson01

[Brothbro]

I would add it to the register, "impact resistant" doesn't mean that it's impossible to shatter. Keep in mind that these pest traps are often put in areas at a greater risk for damage by heavy machinery. Forklifts, carts, or pallets have a way of bumping into these traps. The metal ones deform, but a plastic one like this will shatter if ran over by a forklift of crushed between a pallet and the wall. 

[Tony-C]

Hi SQFperson01,

 

I would hope that these aren’t in open product areas 

 

These types of traps need to be checked regularly so you should just record that they are intact/not broken on your pest control record. Also make sure personnel are aware that any breakages should be reported.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[Dorothy87]

Hi, 

 

Do you have a risk assessment? I hope they are not in the open product areas.. 

 

seems that the risk of cross-contamination in case of plastic is low, however a record of pest checks shall be in place.. again the risk assessment should tell you how often traps should be checked. 

[SQFperson01]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

Wanted to address some of the concerns.

 

There is no open product in the area.  The trap is located in our warehouse where everything is already boxed and sealed and no product is exposed.  We check our traps weekly and it is recorded.  

 

We have also very recently conducted training in pest control and discussed the topic of reporting broken traps as well as other related issues.

 

I'll be doing a risk assessment for it today.  

 

Thanks again,

 

SQFperson01

[jfrey123]

Short answer is that an auditor will be foaming at the mouth to ding you for not registering it in your inventory.

 

Some research listed previously on this forum reflects my attitude, that not all plastic is brittle and therefore some plastics are not a hazard.  See post 3 in this link below, attachment titled "AIB Glass and Brittle Plastics.pdf":

 

What materials are classified as Brittle Plastic? - IFSQN

 

You're saying the brochure states it has "high impact resistance", which seems to me fits the bill to qualify it as non-brittle.  Additionally, you further mentioned that it is not in an active production area but a warehouse where product stays sealed.  So long as your warehousing documents support that, including a prohibition on opening product for sampling purposes, I'd assess the risk is nil.  In my warehouse spaces, I only inventoried overhead lights as a hazard because a broken light could fall atop my product and later be transported into the production area.

 

Armed with proof it's non-brittle, and located in a warehouse area, I'd personally be happy to argue with an auditor all day.  But if you don't want that for yourself, have the pest controller replace it with a tin cat or throw it on your g&bp register to appease those who would find fault.

Edited by jfrey123, 28 September 2023 - 04:42 PM.

[MlissaB]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

Wanted to address some of the concerns.

 

There is no open product in the area.  The trap is located in our warehouse where everything is already boxed and sealed and no product is exposed.  We check our traps weekly and it is recorded.  

 

We have also very recently conducted training in pest control and discussed the topic of reporting broken traps as well as other related issues.

 

I'll be doing a risk assessment for it today.  

 

Thanks again,

 

SQFperson01

 

I've never heard of "cat traps" in manufacturing so please excuse my ignorance, but is this a live trap or a kill trap? If it's a live trap I would hope you are checking it more frequently than weekly. It should be checked daily at a minimum or you are just being cruel to any animal being caught. 

 

How is it that cats are getting into the warehouse? This seems like a gap that should be addressed as much as getting the trap on a log. I would be concerned about an auditor's take on the fact that cats are able to access your facility because if they are what other wildlife/insects are also entering. 

[jfrey123]

I've never heard of "cat traps" in manufacturing so please excuse my ignorance, but is this a live trap or a kill trap? If it's a live trap I would hope you are checking it more frequently than weekly. It should be checked daily at a minimum or you are just being cruel to any animal being caught. 

 

How is it that cats are getting into the warehouse? This seems like a gap that should be addressed as much as getting the trap on a log. I would be concerned about an auditor's take on the fact that cats are able to access your facility because if they are what other wildlife/insects are also entering. 

 

They are referring to the metal live traps that most of us station around entrance/exit doors.  Some even brand themselves under that specific name, I've had people call them "tin cats" or "cats" or a couple other slang terms.

 

Victor® TIN CAT Live Catch Mouse Trap - 1-Trap (victorpest.com)

Edited by jfrey123, 04 October 2023 - 04:05 PM.

[SQFperson01]

I've never heard of "cat traps" in manufacturing so please excuse my ignorance, but is this a live trap or a kill trap? If it's a live trap I would hope you are checking it more frequently than weekly. It should be checked daily at a minimum or you are just being cruel to any animal being caught. 

 

How is it that cats are getting into the warehouse? This seems like a gap that should be addressed as much as getting the trap on a log. I would be concerned about an auditor's take on the fact that cats are able to access your facility because if they are what other wildlife/insects are also entering. 

No actual cats are walking through or around the facility.  Nor would these types of traps harm an animal that large.  At least, I don't think they could.  Indoor ones usually just have a glue board for insects.  Outdoor ones may contain some bait with poison.  But it is designed for rodents. Only a rodent could access as the lids are locked.

 

Hope this adds some clarity.  I love animals, I would never harm them!  

[MlissaB]

No actual cats are walking through or around the facility.  Nor would these types of traps harm an animal that large.  At least, I don't think they could.  Indoor ones usually just have a glue board for insects.  Outdoor ones may contain some bait with poison.  But it is designed for rodents. Only a rodent could access as the lids are locked.

 

Hope this adds some clarity.  I love animals, I would never harm them!  

 

Aaaaaand now I feel like a total idiot. As soon as someone else clarified that it was the brand name I realized what was being discussed. I am very familiar with that brand and think I actually have some of their traps at home, I just couldn't get the image of a live trap out of my head.

 

Thank you!