SQF 2.1.2.8: Job Description provision for coverage
Hello all.
I have a question in regards to:
2.1.2.8 Job descriptions for those responsible for food safety shall be documented and include provision to cover for the absence of key personnel.
I may possibly be over thinking this... I have listed job descriptions for key persons with roles within our facility that have an impact on food safety and quality, and I have also included designated backups for coverage of those roles in the event of an absence.
This "provision" they are speaking of... Is it a matter of adding a disclaimer statement at the bottom of the Job Descriptions document, to the extent of...
"In the occasion(s) when key personnel responsible for designated role(s) is absent, and appropriately trained backup has been assigned to cover their nominated duties to ensure the integrity of the SQF System."
or is this a separate "policy" that must be created?
Much Thanks,
nitchicsqf
IMO it's not a policy, but if you have formal job descriptions for personnel responsible for food safety and you've included absentee coverage you should be okay. I also inclue this on policies like Business Continuity (Crisis Management), Recall Policy, Management Responsibility docs, etc. SQF is fairly flexible, so this requirement could be accomlished in any number of ways.
At the bottom of each of our job descriptions, we have a check box that asks "Does this position require back up". If yes, we put the position that backs that position up. For example, I am the SQF Practitioner, and I back up the Regulatory Compliance Manager. In his job description, it states that the SQF Practitioner is the back up to this position.
It's satisfied our last 2 SQF audits.
I usually produce a summary table of key positions and 'nominated deputies'.
This table is reflected in the individual job descriptions.
Regards,
Tony
You can place the provision to cover at the bottom of each job description or have this information available on a separate table/sheet.
Thanks all for your input! It looks like I have a few options.
We also include the stand-in persons in the job description. The stand-in policy also stipulate that an 'out of office reply' for e-mails must be set, with the relevant stand-in persons contact details, when absent for more than 2 days.
Very good idea.
Your on the right track Michelle!.....
Keep in mind anybody ties to food production/ shipping, etc should have a clear understanding of how they fit and matter relative to food safety and product integrity. Check all job descriptions and ensure their are elements within the description that:
1) states their responsibility to food safety and quality
2) who the person position is that serves as their back-up
3) and be able to proof what you say....in this case, I conduct interviews to ensure personnel understand their role in food safety AND then I ask..."when you are not here, who is your back-up"...I right down the answer then will later follow with training records (under a different element)
Hope this helps!
Best,
Dennis Q
Are line workers considered responsible for food safety? Do you have your line workers sign a job description stating their responsibilities regarding food safety and quality?
Or is this intended to be for management?
Are line workers considered responsible for food safety? Do you have your line workers sign a job description stating their responsibilities regarding food safety and quality?
Or is this intended to be for management?
I have the same question, desk audit gave us a minor for not having the backups listed. I have gone through and updated all of our pertinent salaried employees, but was wondering about all of the hourly employees. This is especially true for our CCP operators, as they are obviously responsible for food safety, but we have multiple on duty at any given time, thus they are their own redundancy.
Are line workers considered responsible for food safety? Do you have your line workers sign a job description stating their responsibilities regarding food safety and quality?
Or is this intended to be for management?
This is more intended for your management and SQF practitioner if that person is not the quality manager like I was at my last position. So if the Quality Manager was gone I was her back up and if I was gone she was my backup.
I have the same question, desk audit gave us a minor for not having the backups listed. I have gone through and updated all of our pertinent salaried employees, but was wondering about all of the hourly employees. This is especially true for our CCP operators, as they are obviously responsible for food safety, but we have multiple on duty at any given time, thus they are their own redundancy.
Like I said above this is more intended for your management.
Yes all of your line employees have things to do in relation to food safety - GMPs, HACCP checks, etc. But like you said typically a place will have multiple people who perform those checks on shift. In the event that you were in the situation that your only person that was able to perform your CCP check was gone then you would probably be calling in another operator or a member of management would be performing it. You wouldn't run your line if you couldn't perform your CCPs... well nobody that cares about food safety would :shades:
This is for your key people, as the standard says, it will be your higher up quality personnel, shift manager perhaps (if they do a roving check of CCP/CP checks), your crisis team perhaps (how are you going to recall something if the person who is supposed to contact your customers is in the Bahamas).... etc
This is more intended for your management and SQF practitioner if that person is not the quality manager like I was at my last position. So if the Quality Manager was gone I was her back up and if I was gone she was my backup.
Like I said above this is more intended for your management.
Yes all of your line employees have things to do in relation to food safety - GMPs, HACCP checks, etc. But like you said typically a place will have multiple people who perform those checks on shift. In the event that you were in the situation that your only person that was able to perform your CCP check was gone then you would probably be calling in another operator or a member of management would be performing it. You wouldn't run your line if you couldn't perform your CCPs... well nobody that cares about food safety would :shades:
This is for your key people, as the standard says, it will be your higher up quality personnel, shift manager perhaps (if they do a roving check of CCP/CP checks), your crisis team perhaps (how are you going to recall something if the person who is supposed to contact your customers is in the Bahamas).... etc
Perfect, that's what I was hoping to hear. Sounds like we can submit as completed then.
Lots of helpful info here (as usual)! As we pursue SQF Level 2 Certification for the first time, we got a "Minor" on this a few days ago during our Desk Audit since we didn't have a single Job Description let alone one that included info about Backups either!
I'm wondering how detailed this document has to be. I mean, do we have to write a lengthy Job Description for each key role? I've included what we have so far here below. Perhaps someone here wouldn't mind taking a look to see if this is sufficient.
SQF Job Descriptions & Backups.docx 19.78KB 491 downloads
Thanks in advance for your time and help!
All The Best,
JKRed
Lots of helpful info here (as usual)! As we pursue SQF Level 2 Certification for the first time, we got a "Minor" on this a few days ago during our Desk Audit since we didn't have a single Job Description let alone one that included info about Backups either!
I'm wondering how detailed this document has to be. I mean, do we have to write a lengthy Job Description for each key role? I've included what we have so far here below. Perhaps someone here wouldn't mind taking a look to see if this is sufficient.
SQF Job Descriptions & Backups.docx
Thanks in advance for your time and help!
All The Best,
JKRed
Hi JKRed,
Being this is over 30 days past your desk audit, you may already have had your facility audit, but in case you haven't I hope this helps. Here is the job description I created for the QA Manager/SQF Practitioner at my facility. You want to have similar explanations for all management at your facility with responsibility for food safety. We recently passed our initial SQF Level 2 desk and facility audits. The auditor was complimentary about our job descriptions.
Hi JKRed,
Here is the job description I created for the QA Manager/SQF Practitioner at my facility.
Hi nitchicsqf,
Sorry but i don't see any description ??
Hi JKRed,
Being this is over 30 days past your desk audit, you may already have had your facility audit, but in case you haven't I hope this helps. Here is the job description I created for the QA Manager/SQF Practitioner at my facility. You want to have similar explanations for all management at your facility with responsibility for food safety. We recently passed our initial SQF Level 2 desk and facility audits. The auditor was complimentary about our job descriptions.
Hi nitchicsqf,
Sorry but i don't see any description ??
My apologies... Please see below.
Food Safety Responsibilities Job Description
Job Title
Name
Nominated Back up Personnel
Quality Assurance Manager/SQF Practitioner
xxxxx
xxxxx
Reports To
Department
General Manager
Quality
Position Description
Has the overall responsibility and accountability for establishing, implementing and maintaining the Food Safety Management System. Has the overall responsibility for auditing procedures for compliance. Has the responsibility and authority for the final disposition of products on hold.
Summary of Food Safety Responsibilities
- Has the overall responsibility for the implementation and oversight of the SQF System at this site.
- Creates, develops, implements, validates and verifies the SQF System.
- Monitors and validates the effectiveness of the Food Safety Management System.
- Continually updates the FSMS where necessary and appropriate.
- Promotes food safety and quality awareness throughout the organization.
- An “Out Of Office” reply for emails must be set with the nominated backup’s personal contact details, when absent for more than 2 days.
** In the occasion(s) when key personnel responsible for designated role(s) is absent, an appropriately trained backup has been assigned to cover their nominated duties to ensure the integrity of the SQF System.**
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee assigned to this classification. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other food safety related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing safety needs of the organization.
__________________________________ _____________________
Employee Signature Date
___________________________________ _____________________
Nominated Backup Date
___________________________________ _____________________
Verifier’s Signature Date
Hi nitchicsqf,
Thks for the example. looks useful.
Thanks Charles. I wanted to post it as a downloadable attachment, but I'm unsure of how to do so.
Thanks Charles. I wanted to post it as a downloadable attachment, but I'm unsure of how to do so.
I agree, it's not immediately obvious. :smile:
The method is detailed in this post -
I agree, it's not immediately obvious. :smile:
The method is detailed in this post -
Thank you.
Here it is:
Attached Files
I'm working on preparing the job description for SQF, can anyone share an example of the way that it needs to be done?
I really appreciate your help!
Hi,
I'm working on preparing the job description for SQF, can anyone share an example of the way that it needs to be done?
I really appreciate your help!
Hi AZCO,
Posts 14, 21 ?? (14 appears rather skeletal).
+ perhaps the suggestions in the surrounding Posts
Lots of helpful info here (as usual)! As we pursue SQF Level 2 Certification for the first time, we got a "Minor" on this a few days ago during our Desk Audit since we didn't have a single Job Description let alone one that included info about Backups either!
I'm wondering how detailed this document has to be. I mean, do we have to write a lengthy Job Description for each key role? I've included what we have so far here below. Perhaps someone here wouldn't mind taking a look to see if this is sufficient.
SQF Job Descriptions & Backups.docx
Thanks in advance for your time and help!
All The Best,
JKRed