6 replies to this topic

[Szabi]

Hi all, 

 

Has anyone got a risk assessment for using caps instead of hair nets and not using beard snoods in corrugated packaging manufacturing. 

[Setanta]

Hello and Welcome to the forums!

 

There has been severl spirited discussions here on hairnets. I think for the most part, there is agreement that caps are a poor substitute for a hairnet. 

Hairnets are specifically named by most GFSI food safety plans, due in part to their coverage and that a new one is used each day.

Caps do not offer full coverage, are not easily, frequently, or documented as cleaned. They can bring in more dirt that is deemed safe by most.

 

One mechanic I worked with was very attached to his baseball style cap. I asked him about wear he wore it and he replied everywhere! He wore it at work, while he was fixing cars, when he would go deer hunting...and I asked him when was it cleaned last. I said I don't want you wearing something that you've gutted a deer, changed the oil in your car and welded at work hanging over our pies and bakery goods. He understood that part.

[TimG]

I have, yes. It was quite different than packaging though. It was a sugar plant where all of the sugar was contained in pipes/vessels and was only ever exposed at 2 areas. In those areas hair/beard nets were required.

[Setanta]

Ahhh I see I overlooked the corrugated packaging part. <blush> Mornings are hard. 

 

If it is food contact packaging,what I said still stands, but for non-food contact, I would see what your GFSI scheme says.  

[MDaleDDF]

To me, apologies, but this is a terrible way to go about a risk assessment.   It comes across as if you're basically asking 'does anyone have an assessment that contains my preferred predetermined outcome from a facility that isn't mine'?    The entire idea is to actually do the exercise, find out if there's risk in your own facility, the way you do things there, and then DECIDE if ball caps instead of hairnets are acceptable.    

Perhaps not and you just want to see a template to help you along or something, and I'm just an AH.   Because that's a thing....

[Scampi]

You just need to input into your own risk matrix what you believe (or not) the risks are and weather or not coverings are required as a result of your assessment

[GMO]

I agree with all the above. You can do it. If it's not primary packaging, then fine.

 

BUT there is a psychological element to gowning that "ok, now I'm making something that will go around food and the plant needs to be clean, I need to have a different mindset". I'm not a fan of rules for rules' sake but also I'd just have a think if you are losing something else from this.