SQF Module 12, Edition 9. 12.3.7 Change Rooms

Good day everyone, I'm looking for some possible advice. "12.3.7 Change Rooms 12.3.7.1 Facilities shall be provided to enable staff and visitors to change into and out of protective clothing as required. 12.3.7.2 Provisions shall be made for staff to store their personal items separate from food contact zones and food and packaging storage areas." I'm the SQF Practitioner at a warehouse of closed, finished food product. We don't have an enclosed locker "room" per se, but we do have a mezzanine area, or the main area where the lockers are situated, separated from the main warehouse or GMP area. There is traffic by the locker area but very minimal, especially with the new Covid safety protocols in place. My question is, is the enclosure, or the lack thereof in our case a critical component for compliance? It may also be worth noting, lockers are pretty much only used to change into their coats and work boots as far as work attire is concerned. It's a warehouse so there really isn't an environment for "soiled" garments to thrive.  Thanks in advance! Gianni

The code does say "as required" since your employees do not need to change into new clothing (like a high care facility would ) this is a moot point for you

as long as lockers are cleaned on a schedule and everyone is trained not to keep food in them you should be fine as is

The code does say "as required" since your employees do not need to change into new clothing (like a high care facility would ) this is a moot point for you

 

as long as lockers are cleaned on a schedule and everyone is trained not to keep food in them you should be fine as is

And if you don't have other places for a change room. For instance, we have our change room actually in our warehouse as our facility has no other space - so, what would the auditor do, make a comment? But we have no choice and are not able to change a situation...