5 replies to this topic

[MrPRL]

Im working on implementing pallet cleaning procedures in the wareroom and was wondering what methods people are using. We use a lot of plant powders, so most of the residue is a fine grain powder. I don't want to encourage caking the residue by just spraying it, but I also want to avoid blowing/brushing off the powder to avoid contaminating nearby surfaces (sample pulling room with air curtains in the same wareroom). Im thinking of keeping it simple and just using a HEPA vacuum, the powder comes off easily with a weekly or biweekly frequency.

 

The second issue is tape on the floors. We use tape to distinguish different procedures for certain zones. What methods are people using to mark the floors and avoid using tape or surfaces that can harbor buildup. Visibly the tape is not that bad, but logically its just not a good idea as far as buildup and contamination goes. 

 

Thanks!

[jfrey123]

I'm not familiar with the word wareroom you're using in this context.  Is this warehouse storage or a production room?  Broadly speaking, having your plant powders all over any of these rooms is a bad omen:  at a minimum it suggests you have dust migration issues, or spillage issues that should be addressed.  If it's bad enough it's covering your pallets with residue, now you've got pest attractants all over whatever this wareroom is.

 

Tape on the floor is a no-go for me too for the same reason you've pointed out: it's a harborage point by itself and as it peels, the sticky residue will become a non-cleanable surface.  First plant I was in used tape all over the floors, and they'd conveniently peel it all up and replace it right before our SQF audit.  Auditors always commented on it, plant manager would do a song and dance.  We never took a hit, but I figured it was just a matter of time.  I'd suggest removing all the floor tape, cleaning the floors to remove all residue, and have your maintenance team apply painted lines in the areas as needed when production isn't running.

[MrPRL]

I'm not familiar with the word wareroom you're using in this context.  Is this warehouse storage or a production room?  Broadly speaking, having your plant powders all over any of these rooms is a bad omen:  at a minimum it suggests you have dust migration issues, or spillage issues that should be addressed.  If it's bad enough it's covering your pallets with residue, now you've got pest attractants all over whatever this wareroom is.

 

Tape on the floor is a no-go for me too for the same reason you've pointed out: it's a harborage point by itself and as it peels, the sticky residue will become a non-cleanable surface.  First plant I was in used tape all over the floors, and they'd conveniently peel it all up and replace it right before our SQF audit.  Auditors always commented on it, plant manager would do a song and dance.  We never took a hit, but I figured it was just a matter of time.  I'd suggest removing all the floor tape, cleaning the floors to remove all residue, and have your maintenance team apply painted lines in the areas as needed when production isn't running.

 

Thanks for the advice. Yes by wareroom I mean warehouse area where ingredients are stored. There is not powder or dust on the floors, just on the pallets (im sure there is SOME powder but it is not visible / built up on the floor) but once they are done using the pallets the powder does seem to coat or gather up on the pallet surface. This is why I want to address the pallets themselves because everything else is so clean and in order, I would hate to take a hit for dirty pallets. Do you think a simple vacuum procedure is enough or should I implement the vacuum, do a round of swabs and see if I need to take it a step further. My concern is the spores in the plant product, when I swab I know im going to get a high APC. Should I just swab for pathogens at that point? Also as far as the paint is concerned should I get with my maintenance team and have them decide on the type of paint to use? Thanks for the advice!

[jfrey123]

Gotcha.  What's the original source of the powder?  Are these pallets getting dirty at the packaging stations from dust maybe?  I ask only because I'd be aiming to eliminate the problem entirely before having to implement a whole new cleaning schedule...

 

Vacuuming is probably fine, but does that mean you need to down stack the pallets to vacuum the entire pallet to be effective?  You'll also end up having to put the vacuums, hoses and attachments on a sanitation schedule.  In my old spice plant, that schedule was anytime a vacuum got used, it had to be cleaned and sanitized at the end of that shift.

 

I wouldn't entertain swabbing pallets in the slightest.  If you're using wood pallets like the rest of us, ain't no chance you're going to ever get any APC number you could show to anybody.  That's one reason why outer packaging and product seals are important.

[cookinmaple]

We just simply sweep all pallets when they become empty and before being used again. There is a designated broom just for pallets. It's a GMP rule, everyone is trained to follow the procedure at orientation and annually. 

 

You could use slip sheets as well for easy clean up and disposal. 

[David SS]

For daily cleaning you can use a broom (used specifically for pallets), after that you can clean the entire floor with a broom or vacuum.

 

For weekly or monthly they can be wet washed. At my place there is a separate equipment washing area. According to the schedule, dirty pallets are taken to the area and washed using pressurized water and brushed with odorless soap (soap without perfume) if necessary.

 

The use of tape is not recommended. To mark an area or divide zones use paint. You can double paint it to make it more durable and last longer.