Are You Ready For An Inspection From An Alphabet Organization?

The one thing we always tried to be prepared for was an OSHA, USDA, FDA, NY Ag & Markets, DOT, etc Inspection and while we were not always successful, we wanted to be ready for these folks within 30 minutes of their arrival. I knew that by the time there were introductions made, copies of their credentials, and such that I could delay their going out into the facility/plant/warehouse and everyone had a task. I would ask someone to go out into the plant after having asked them to come to my office and I would say "Is Joe Jones (I would use the name of the OG Plant Manager) is all set?"and that was our signal that one of the alphabet organizations was on-board. We would make sure drugged ingredient rooms were locked, the floors were swept, any chains that needed to go up were hooked up, gates closed, pathways to Exits cleared, etc, We would then tour and go from there. Do not ever try to snow them because you do not know what they may already know so if they ask you what the most hazardous action is performed on a daily basis, tell them 2 or 3 because again, you do not know what they know. Perhaps it is a routine inspection OR the inspection may have been prompted by a complaint and they may know A LOT more than what you think. You need to school your people on how to answer questions from these folks such as 1)Answer the Question but don't offer information. 2) Be honest. Depending on the team they are on, they may know a lot about making widgets..or they may know nothing about making widgets but what they will know is common sense stuff so be honest. 3)When you are showing them around and you see something that needs to be addressed, act on it. I used to have a guy kind of 'following' closelt behind so that if I saw something that needed to be addressed, they could do it before we came back around. 4)If they get looking at something and you know what they are thinking, admit - Yes, that is supposed to be closed but when first shift is around and with all the people here, it is constantly being viewed so to be honest, it is open a bit more n 1st shift because it is used so often. At Safety With A Passion, LLC, I can help you with many of these things from a safety point and I have been part of at least 6-8 FDA Inspections over my 36 years. EVEN if they do not know the first thing about a feed mill (my sector), they knew what they were doing ans asking. You want to convey to them that you are very big on processes/SOPs/CGMPs, etc as some will ask what your process instructions look like. Always tweak those anytime new machinery is introduced, part of the process changed, how the end results are measured, etc. Let them know that you will never accept being busy as an excuse to skip a step #ITISNEVERTOOBUSYTOBESAFE (personnel safety, food safety, quality safeguards, integrity safeguards, etc). #complacencyisourenemy. Give us a look and give us a try, you will not be disappointed.

Thank you for your time

John Wallace - President - Safety With A Passion, LLC