Classification of Loading Bay Area: Open Product Area or Not?

Hi, food additives- food grade refined glycerin will be loaded into tanker by pipeline system, is the loading bay consider an open product area? as the pipeline opening might have the potential of contamination. 

the classification will be using for environmental monitoring set up.

Kindly advice.

thanks

Lee.

Hi Lee,

For BRCGS this is regarded as an enclosed product area. See below.

Full details of the definitions of the production risk zones recognised by the Standard are given in Appendix 2 of the Standard. However, in summary, the Standard recognises six zones:

• high-risk and high-care zones for chilled or frozen and ready-to-eat products where there is a risk of contamination

• ambient high care for products where there is a risk of contamination with vegetative micro-organisms originating from raw materials and the products are stored in ambient conditions (rather than chilled or frozen)

• low-risk areas

• enclosed product areas (e.g. storage areas where products are fully enclosed within packaging and production areas where the product is fully enclosed within the equipment or pipework)

• non-product areas (i.e. areas such as offices, where products are not taken at any stage in their manufacture or storage).

You are quite right to be concerned about the pipework connections (perhaps a hose as well). This is an operation where good hygiene practices are required to prevent contamination inside the pipe/hose and hence prevent product contamination. You can note this and it won’t do any harm in monitoring the environment, hand hygiene and pipes/connections on a regular basis.

Kind regards,

Tony

One hot point for auditors for BRCGS and other standards is making sure any loading points (if outside) are secured and clean.  So lock off any covers if not in use.  I've also had a different auditing body raise where loading pipes are on the floor as bad practice.  I think it's debatable but I see their point so a stand is worth considering.

Lastly if you need to interact with the line, e.g. if there are filters which need inspection or cleaning, make sure they are inspected and cleaned but you may need to define the processes and PPE used for that break into the line especially if you're in an enclosed product area.