15 replies to this topic

[TAW]

I (FSM) was recently approached by my HR Manager to see if it's possible to do Elf On A Shelf in the Food Production area of our facility.  We are a very low risk confectionery manufacturer so I am just trying to forsee any potential food safety hazards.  The only thing I told the HR manager was to make sure whatever "elf" she uses, make sure it doesn't have brittle plastic components and preferably something that could be washed (we have laundry facilities on site) to remove any type of chemical allergen issues from handling. 

 

Probably the most random topic ever on this forum ever, but I figured I'd cover my bases.   

 

thoughts?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

[nwilson]

That's a big no from me.  As much as I like the idea and even putting a small hairnet on it for fun, this opens the grey area door for other items being allowed in the processing areas.  The argument in the future when someone wants to bring their personal items into the processing areas, "you allowed an elf on the shelf, what's the difference?"  How are you going to respond to these types of inquiries.  Believe me I've had to say no to a lot of things in the plants I've worked in and it's always a pain as I'm perceived as the bearer of bad news.  

[SQFconsultant]

Big NO for us.

[Tony-C]

Hi TAW,

 

I would be asking the HR Manager why they can’t do Elf On A Shelf in the canteen?

 

Regards,

 

Tony

[kconf]

No for me as well. Why does it have to be in the production area? 

[Setanta]

Hi TAW,

 

I would be asking the HR Manager why they can’t do Elf On A Shelf in the canteen?

 

Regards,

 

Tony

 

 

The canteen, the offices (MAYBE if people are willing..) those are good.

 

A felt toy with sparkles in production is a bad idea. It's a distraction from everyone's job and all of the food safety issues--No

[Scampi]

Why not use a laminated picture of the elf?  All the fun, none of the risks

[Setanta]

Why not use a laminated picture of the elf?  All the fun, none of the risks

 

 

I like that! Or riffing on that theme, put it in announcements/emails that people should be reading anyway...

[TimG]

Terry is that you?

And I would probably decline the Elf on a Shelf in production, if it was myself. All the reasons that everyone else already pointed out, and the risk vs reward (if you can quantify it) just makes it not worth it at all.

 

Why not put it at the time clock, which I'm assuming isn't in production?

[Setanta]

The Elf on the Shelf is supposed to 'watch for kids to misbehave' and MOVE around every day to watch from another vantage point. 

 

It's a Where's Waldo set up for spying on 'bad kids'. Kind of...

[kconf]

It's still kind of silly to demand that sort of thing to be put in production zone, just my opinion  

[Setanta]

I didn't get demand from the OP at all.

 

HR just trying to engage the staff.

[Shrimper]

The Elf on the Shelf is supposed to 'watch for kids to misbehave' and MOVE around every day to watch from another vantage point. 

 

It's a Where's Waldo set up for spying on 'bad kids'. Kind of...

Would be fun to see at hand washing stations! Make sure no one skips 

[kconf]

There you go!

[ChristinaK]

I like that! Or riffing on that theme, put it in announcements/emails that people should be reading anyway...

 

Laminated picture of the elf, but it's dressed in the appropriate PPE for the area it appears in.

I think it would be cute to use it as a way of reminding staff about various GMPs around the plant. 

Or even better, a laminated picture of different senior management dressed up as elves and being used to remind staff about GMPs! 

[TAW]

Terry is that you?  Yes sir. :) 

And I would probably decline the Elf on a Shelf in production, if it was myself. All the reasons that everyone else already pointed out, and the risk vs reward (if you can quantify it) just makes it not worth it at all.

 

Why not put it at the time clock, which I'm assuming isn't in production?  I suggested anywhere but production.  But I do like the later ideas.  Especially the laminated photo.