Aprons, smocks, or other options?
Hello all,
We have an upcoming Costco GMP audit and one of the requirements is that we wear garments that are different from our street clothes. Doing a little digging on the forum here I see that many people do a risk assessment to be able to avoid smocks or lab coats in their low risk facilities. Well, we are low risk, but Costco seems to have a pretty clear requirement:
"Garments are clean, appropriate for the operation and do not contribute to potential product contamination. All garments have snaps not buttons. Garments are not worn in lunchrooms, restrooms, or outside the facility. Employees change smocks or uniforms as necessary when moving through the facility to minimize cross-contamination. Garments are segregated from outside clothing and personal items in changing room"
So, does anyone have any experience with Costco requirements for garments? I don't think I can do a risk assessment to avoid this, so we are considering our options. Could we get away with simple aprons? Any other suggestions for simple (and cheap) garments for food safety?
Thanks!
What products do you manufacture? If it's food industry (even low risk) - why don't you use uniform, like shirts & pants? We've been through Costco audits several times and had no issues RE: garments as our employees're wearing uniform. Getting away with simple aprons - you mean, wearing them on the top of street clothes? I don't think that would be acceptable by Costco...
Hello all,
We have an upcoming Costco GMP audit and one of the requirements is that we wear garments that are different from our street clothes. Doing a little digging on the forum here I see that many people do a risk assessment to be able to avoid smocks or lab coats in their low risk facilities. Well, we are low risk, but Costco seems to have a pretty clear requirement:
"Garments are clean, appropriate for the operation and do not contribute to potential product contamination. All garments have snaps not buttons. Garments are not worn in lunchrooms, restrooms, or outside the facility. Employees change smocks or uniforms as necessary when moving through the facility to minimize cross-contamination. Garments are segregated from outside clothing and personal items in changing room"
So, does anyone have any experience with Costco requirements for garments? I don't think I can do a risk assessment to avoid this, so we are considering our options. Could we get away with simple aprons? Any other suggestions for simple (and cheap) garments for food safety?
Thanks!
Client has snap closure disposable and permanent lab coats that go over employees street clothing - works great and satisfies the requirement. The employees are required to take them off when when visiting the restroom, lunchroom, etc. and they are stored separately on racks in closets when not in use and sent out for laundering. Works great.
Employees wearing their own street clothes gives you no control over the hazards they can bring into the plant regardless how "low risk" your process or product(s). I would keep it simple and use disposable smocks with the snap buttons, or you can go with permanent smocks or coats and use a 3rd party launder service.
These are both acceptable for Costco audit. I actually prefer them to employee uniforms because you can take them off when going to the restroom or lunch. It is not really practical to remove a uniform for bathroom or lunch...so we all kind of sweep that potential issue to the side....
The only issue I would add is, Stay away from uniform jumpsuits.
The biggest problem I see where I am at is the "jumpsuit" supplied by a uniform company.
They are not quick to remove for breaks or lunch. Half of your break has come and gone, just taking them off and putting them on.
Also they are worn to use the reatrroom and to go out to their cars for lunch.
It is and has been an uphill battle since i have been here over the last two years.
Depending on what you produce will be a big factor. For the most part, a top cover garment (shirt) with snaps that is laundered by 3rd party should be sufficient. We have zero problems with those audits.
As stated, employees must remove them when going on break or restrooms and certainly never outside. We have wall hooks just outside of production area for them to hang during break.
Also as someone has already noted, street close can not be risk assessed as you do not know the potential hazards each person could bring in. Using a smock or lab coat gives you control over the risk.