Audit Tips: How to Think Like an Auditor and Avoid Risks, Fines, Shutdowns

FDA sets specific standards for which coatings may be applied to steel, and those conditions vary based on whether the steel has direct or indirect contact with food products. For example, grain elevators and storage silos, which store dry goods, must comply with the 21 CFR 175.300 standard. While a facility manager might not be familiar with the entirety of FDA regulations on these matters, a third-party coatings expert will be able to supply that knowledge and recommend appropriate products.

4. Warehouse & Distribution

At most food and beverage facilities, ingredients and finished products sit in a warehouse where high traffic and outdoor access might invite some undesirable agents such as dust mites, bugs, and rodents. In such areas, the right surfaces can help to stave off critters or identify their presence. For instance, sealer placed on a concrete floor makes the surface more cleanable, so dust comes up during washing, which minimizes mites. A run identification strip, a set of white lines painted on the floor around the perimeter of a warehouse, creates contrast so that workers can spot rodent droppings against the light floor surface. In addition, seamless flooring systems reduce the cracks and crevices that bugs nestle within. For each of these matters, a coatings specialist can recommend ideal solutions.

In cold storage and processing areas, a facility manager needs to be concerned about contamination from insulated metal panels (IMPs), as their factory-applied finish may flake off over time. One way to protect this material is to apply polyurea, a chemical-resistant waterproofing membrane that fills cracks and joints and limits flaking. However, not all contactors have the plural-component equipment needed to spray such coatings. A coatings specialist can help facilities identify contractors for the project, which can be completed in one weekend, even at low temperatures.

Establish a Proactive Plan

With so many ways to prepare ahead, there is no reason a facility manager should let an auditor’s visit become a nail-biting experience. Instead, a manager can work directly with a coatings specialist to walk through the facility together, identify any areas of current and future concern, and create a proactive plan to rapidly address repairs as needs arise, especially if an auditor raises an issue. The proactive approach of thinking like an auditor will help the facility maintain compliance and avoid costly fines and shutdowns.

Ball is global market director for Sherwin-Williams High Performance Flooring. He can be reached at [email protected].