Partitioning

Hi Simon
Thankyou for your swift response reading some of the topics lets me see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.I have recently started with the BRC/IOP Food Packaging Standard and was given a pre-assessment audit whereby I learned that I needed further partitioning of non-production and production. The level of the partitioning is the point.
The layout of the factory entails the personnel entrance opening onto part of the factory floor allowing non-production workers to reach the reception and offices beyond. The passage area is at least 5 meters from the production itself and has offices with an open corridor above and I am wondering how to cordon off this area. Can I use a waist level barricade with appropriate signs or do I have to have a more permanent structure and carry it to first floor level or to the second floor level? Do the two areas have to be completely separated? I hope you can understand my question .
With thanks for your consideration
Fiona

Hi Fiona,

From what you say I'm finding it difficult to visualise your factory. It would be helpful if you could let us know whether you are BRC/IoP category A or B and even better if you could upload some digital photographs. If you are not sure how to upload images you can email them to me and I will do it.

Talk of partitioning / barricades seems a little bit excessive and you can often get away with a few well placed signs, lines painted on the floor and some training.

I think the main clauses of the standard that apply here are:

5.2.4.
"Entry into production areas shall be via properly designated entry routes and access points"

7.1.1
"All personnel shall enter any part of the site through designated entrances"

7.1.3
"If it is necessary to allow access between non-production areas, personnel shall use designated walkways provided there is adequate segregation from materials."

And not a single mention of the Great Wall of China…in fact not much help at all really. In addition to the invoice did the auditor give you any practical advice?

Try and take some photographs Fiona and we'll help all we can.

Regards,
Simon

I know this is well after the event, but it might help others who are in the same situation and come along...
We were applying for category 'A' certification, and have the same problem here, and our consultant helpfully pointed out that the best solution would be to paint lines on the floor to show designated walkways through the production area, and to place notices in strategic positions with 'maps' showing the production areas and walkways. This means that office staff needing to get in the building, need not have protective clothing, remove their jewellry and make-up etc, while ensuring that the standards are kept near the actual production area.
Where the walkways came near machines we have waist high barriers, but this is mostly for the safety of passers by rather than the prevention of contact.

Oh, and when you're being inspected, if the inspector 'strays' into a production area across one of your lines, be sure to correct them!