Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
same page regarding a job to be done, the personnel assigned to do it, and what is
needed to accomplish the task. The inspection records also serve for future planning
and third-party audits to better understand the priorities.
In addition, an operation supervisor needs to conduct a preoperational inspection
every day before production begins to make sure the cleaning crew members did their
job. This inspection can fi nd gross negligence in cleaning or even a maintenance issue
where something needs to be fi xed before production begins.
Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs)
SSOPs are important for standardizing the cleaning and sanitation procedures for any
food-processing plant. Standardization gives a plant manager the confi dence that the
people doing the cleaning will not miss any important step if they follow the SSOPs.
Written procedures organize and streamline the cleaning process and reduce mainte-
nance problems by listing the correct steps involved in equipment breakdown for
cleaning. SSOPs must include the following key elements:
￿ Equipment breakdown and reassembly instructions
￿ Cleaning instructions
￿ Approved chemicals and their proper use
￿ Frequency of cleaning
￿ Person responsible for the work
￿ Corrective actions for anything out of specifi cation
As part of the prerequisites for an effective HACCP plan, SSOPs are essential to
ensuring a strong sanitation program and should be written by someone in a manage-
ment position so there is effective follow-up.
Designated Cleaning Crew
Another essential part of an effective sanitation program is a cleaning crew with spe-
cialized training. The sanitation crew will be responsible for proper cleaning tech-
niques and chemical handling procedures. Cleaning crew members usually work when
everyone else is gone for the night and need close supervision and frequent training
to keep up with safety and regulatory rules. The cleaning and sanitizing chemical
supplier could be a good resource for training and regulatory monitoring. Equipment
manufacturers could also provide training on proper equipment cleaning and
maintenance.
Chemical Handling Procedures
Approval of proper sanitation chemicals, training, labeling, and storage need close
attention by management. Chemicals could become a safety hazard if not handled
properly. There should be a locked storage area available for cleaning and sanitizing
chemicals. Proper safety equipment such as gloves, face masks, and eye guards should
be readily available to all sanitation workers. Training is important when handling
chemicals to prevent accidents and unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals. Proper
labeling is essential in protecting workers and should be available in multiple lan-
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