Managing body piercings in food packaging facilities

Good day everyone,

The subject of piercings has risen it's ugly head again. Our current procedure states, " Removeable jewelry and other loose objects including bracelets, watches, or earrings are not to be worn or taken into the food packaging production areas.

No removeable jewelry is to be worn above the waist in food packaging production areas. Piercings that cannot be removed and contain a captive bead ring or similar closure that secures the piercing from falling out, are acceptable". We have also allowed Daith piercings with a doctor's note.

The problem is how to determine if a piercing meets this criteria. We are a food packaging company and are low risk. Has anyone successfully completed a risk assessment and audit that allows face jewelry in a food packaging plant? 

Thanks in advance for the input. I know everyone is struggling with retaining employees. With today's culture most people have some sort of piercing so this is hard. Many face and ear piercings cannot be removed except by a professional. 

I just don't allow it.  Never have done.  No plasters over the top, just remove it.  This is the industry you work in.  Accept it or go elsewhere.

I agree with GMO   slippery slope etc

I inherited a program where they allow piercings that can't be removed to be covered by a high vis covering (we provide blue bandaids). I wish I was there at the start to say flat out no right from the beginning. It's a bigger hassle than it should be and it's just for 3-4 people who have piercings they claim can't be removed.

It's been a headache..but ownership is hesitant to go scorched earth as they consider it and remove them.

That's a viable option, Tim.

At our place we do not have anyone with jewelry that can't be removed. 

Just because sometimes it's good to see the rules (also, the SQF code below is for manufacturing. Might be different for packaging):

SUBPART B – CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE §117.10 Personnel

(4) Removing all unsecured jewelry and other objects that might fall into food, equipment, or containers, and removing hand jewelry that cannot be adequately sanitized during periods in which food is manipulated by hand. If such hand jewelry cannot be removed, it may be covered by material which can be maintained in an intact, clean, and sanitary condition and which effectively protects against the contamination by these objects of the food, food-contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials.

11.3.3.8 Jewelry and other loose objects shall not be worn or taken into a food handling or processing operation or into any area where food is exposed. Wearing plain bands with no stones, prescribed medical alert bracelets, or jewelry accepted for religious or cultural reasons can be permitted, provided these items are properly covered and do not pose a food safety risk.

All exceptions shall meet regulatory and customer requirements and shall be subject to a risk assessment and evidence of ongoing risk management.