Hi,
Is someone able to give us some advice in regard to contractors responsibilities and clients requirements, in regard to workwear that might be acceptable for clients BRCGS requirements vs Maintenance Contractors Health and safety requirements. Is there a requirement in the regulations where food safety would overrule the clients specified workwear for contractors which might not be fit for purpose and detrimental to the health and safety of the contractor working in a food manufacturing facility, and if the health and safety is being contravened how this can be dealt with to appease a BRCGS auditor. We are unable to find anything in regards this issue in any form of regulations and want to be able to comply with our Clients requirements but also keep our staff save whilst on the clients site.
Thanks
As this is in the "packaging materials" section, I'm assuming it's attending a packaging site? In which case, it then depends on the risk to the food safety of the packaging. Primary packaging which touches product will be more sensitive than cases for example.
If you want to share more about what kind of site you're visiting and what kind of activities you're doing we may be able to help more at least with how to approach this with the customer. There is often a balance to be had between protecting the food or packaging from staff and protecting the staff from the environment. Sometimes a sensible compromise can be found. So, for example, if they're asking you to use disposable coats and it's unsuitable due to fire risk, you may be able to source reusable, thicker coats which can be laundered by an off site laundry (e.g. Johnsons).
Generally I've found and approached most challenges as the safety of the people on site comes first, the safety of consumers comes a close second and the cost of it all comes a distant third. That said, I would rarely accept a solution which put an unacceptable risk to consumers and have often found in most conversations like this that firstly the risk to the contractor is a little over stated (not saying you do this but sometimes it boils down to "I just don't want to wear that") and that secondly there is often an alternative that meets both health and safety and food safety requirements.
But I really appreciate you seeking out a load of techies for advice and guidance. There is nothing wrong with asking the question and I'd urge you to do so with the site Technical Manager. If you need help then just ping over more info.
