|
Here’s a Simplified Example of a Few Things That May Be Involved in an SQF Food Safety Audit or ISO Confirmation
This example uses a basic task but applies to all areas of the company; 1) During the audit the SQF auditor wants to confirm that the floor has been swept – but that’s not really what he wants to see; it’s the least of it. For example; i) He needs to know that the records show that it is swept on a regular schedule, (a) And that the schedule is known to everyone involved. (b) And that the method that the sweeper uses to sweep is the correct one. ii) And does this method of sweeping conform to the food safety policies of the company (a) And that the method for proper sweeping been reviewed recently by a supervising body. iii) And if the broom breaks does the sweeper know where to go to get a replacement, 2) Who checks the inventory of replacement brooms, i) Is that inspection documented so you can prove that the available inventory of brooms is guaranteed. 3) And if the broom inventory needs to be replenished, i) Who does it and what authorities and responsibilities do they have to do this. ii) How do they know when to do it, (a) And when they order, how do they know where to place the order. 1. Are the broom suppliers approved and 2. What are the standards that will be applied to the brooms to make sure you get the effective brooms and not the defective ones. i. And what happens when a broom supplier goes out of business or a new broom supplier offers you a real deal. ii. Do you have the product data to approve a new supplier, iii. What are the standards and iv. Who approves this data and the supplier. v. Do you have the proper structure in place to establish broom standards vi. And evaluate new suppliers. 4) All of this will seem like a lot of work and the time spent on this may be regarded by some as unproductive so to make sure you’re keeping it up the auditor will want to know i) Do you have the commitment of the Big Boss to stick to this level of managing your future. (a) The auditor will want to see evidence that top management is committed to this type of real management. 1. The auditor will check for evidence of backsliding, taking short cuts to save money, or avoid aggravating a long time employee or to save time 2. So the program has to be real and verifiable. 3. And … if it is, the auditor doesn’t really need to see the floor because there is a very high degree of probability that the floor is clean.
|