In the world of product safety, facility and plant managers bear the greatest burden of maintaining federal and state food safety compliance regulations. From day-to-day manufacturing to distribution workflow practices, ensuring all employees are fully informed of product safety policies is essential for optimal product quality. There are four tips from manufacturing to the distribution phase of production. These include: comprehensive data collection, supply chain management, internal QA/QC compliance, ensure fully functioning equipment
Comprehensive Data Collection
The worst case scenario for any manufacturing facility is a product recall. Through proper data collection of product reviews, reports and evaluations as well as comprehensive product data from watch dogs site and monitoring each step of product safety these steps produce reliably effective product quality. This protects both the consumers and the employees. Make sure that every product coming from your company meets your standards and that all proper procedures are followed in your production process. The ability to gather this data and view it in one place through data collection software can help you catch flaws early on.
Supply Chain Management
Most facilities rely on a supply chain database to provide detailed information and product tracking of suppliers. It is also advisable to reinforce manufacturing and distribution staffers’ knowledge of Best Practices policies for the specific type of product. This includes initial raw material product handling through to final wrap and distribution. Best practices for product manufacturing include: reviewing component parts certificates, checking listing questions regarding product testing and resulting certification, site checks of suppliers facilities, request for test procedures documentation, visual onsite checks of supplier’s testing procedures and results, internal QA/QC compliance. Internal quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) compliance policies should be part of training and re-training programs for QA/QC technicians. Manufacturing facilities work with state and federal regulatory agencies to create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that ensures products are of highest quality.
Driver Safety
Drivers and operators of forklifts, pallet and hand trucks and scissors lifts should be fully trained in mobile equipment operations to avoid accidents, injuries and liabilities. Drivers should be fully OSHA certified to operate new and used equipment.
Ensure Fully Functioning Equipment
One tip to maintain product safety is to ensure all equipment used in manufacturing and distribution are regularly inspected and fully functioning according to manufacturer’s original specifications. You might look for equipment like used JLG scissor lifts for sale. When purchasing used, look for something that is certified or perform your own maintenance on it to ensure it is functioning correctly.
Product safety tips from manufacturing to distribution are the basis of product quality. When product safety guides and SOPs are regularly reviewed, updated and discussed with all involved in the daily operation of these business functions, there is a reduction in potential for product liability. It’s always important to look out for the health of our workers, but specially now that we are all trying to look out for each other.