2.7 Site security - Leaving contractors alone in production areas?

Hello, i am wondering what others do in terms of site security in their plants. We have a general rule that contractors are to always be escorted by an employee. It sounds great but in practical terms this can be extremely time consuming. Our pest control technicians have been with us for many years as well as some various other contractors. It seems silly for an escort to stand by for 2 days while the balance calibrating technician does their work in an area where there are many other employees working. t makes sense that during break times the contractor cannot be left alone, but if there are sufficient employees working in the area would it not be ok to leave certain contractors alone. Do you think that if i did a risk assessment where I noted the the years of service the same contractor has been with us, and the fact that they would never be truly alone, this would be acceptable...

I don't know SQF but I would put in some kind of permit to work system, monitor but not supervise every second of the day.

We have a general contractor policy ... and then specific policies relating to our PCO and our linen provider that allows them unescorted access to the areas of the facility that they need, provided we have a current copy of their ID, insurance information, etc. on file. For other contractors, after they provide identification and have their truck and tools inspected, the maintenance supervisor can assign them access to specific areas that they are allowed, and continue to monitor them on a regular basis.

Hi Katja
In general GMO is correct. It is unreasonable and unpractical to operate a regime whereby contractors are escorted full time while on site. It is also unnecessary. You need to develop your internal control systems for contractors based on assessment of their activity, risks and specific legal and compliance demands.

This area extends beyond the scope of food safety and will also cover Occupational Health and Safety OHS). You will need to establish procedures covering Permits to Work, safe working COP's and records.

For example under some OHS systems it may be a requirement that contractors are supervised full time e.g. Confined Space Work. Some retailers require the pest control inspector to be escorted during inspection of monitoring points and traps. So there can be a lot to consider in this area. It is really beyond the scope of the post to address fully. Maybe some members would be happy to post some examples of their internal procedures which would help you.

Visitor Rules and Permit to Work are the basics and then Manager approval if they can be left on their own. It is also useful to train them (or at least have them read and sign off) in your fundamental security and product protection/hygiene procedures.

We have a general contractor policy ... and then specific policies relating to our PCO and our linen provider that allows them unescorted access to the areas of the facility that they need, provided we have a current copy of their ID, insurance information, etc. on file. For other contractors, after they provide identification and have their truck and tools inspected, the maintenance supervisor can assign them access to specific areas that they are allowed, and continue to monitor them on a regular basis.

I am with you on this response.. we have what we called pre-qualified Visitors/ contractors and these come to out facilities more than 6 x per year and those do not need escorts..... all the rest are escorted or are assigned in certain areas and have someone in that area watching them...