How to Avoid Poor Documentation

In food safety, the margin for error is wafer-thin. And with the number of factors—both internal and external—that can ultimately make or break your success, it can be difficult to stay on top of things.

But pest control is not something you should let slip through the cracks. From failed audits to potential contamination, the damage done by a pest infestation can be detrimental to your business.

That’s why Orkin and NSF International have teamed up to compile a series of free tips to help you ace your next audit and stay protected against pests and the threats they pose. By signing up on MyAuditPrep.com, you’ll get tips – specific to your audit standard – emailed straight to your inbox for free as you count down the days leading up to your auditor’s next visit. (And for more tips on preparing for food safety audits related directly to the Food Safety Modernization Act, download this Special Report.)

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the tips you can expect related to documenting your pest control efforts:

• General Documentation – After an initial contract and written IPM program are signed, it’s important to update the documents if any changes in service or materials occur. These are dynamic documents that should evolve over time as you continue improving the IPM program.
• Pest Management Credentials and Competencies – Be sure that some kind of proof of training is on file to verify that a service provider understands the proper and safe use of pest management materials.
• Pesticide Documentation – Extensive documentation of pesticide use is required at all times, and each facility must keep a list of approved pesticides.
• Pest Management Activity Documentation – Auditors want to see documentation of pest sightings, pest activity and specific corrective actions taken.
• Monitoring Device Documentation – Be sure the site map is up-to-date and includes any new devices or altered device placements. These must be reviewed regularly, dated and signed or initialed by the designated individual.

And those are just some of the tips we offer related to pest control documentation. While there’s more to a perfect audit than just documentation, we can’t understate how crucial it is to audit compliance. Be sure to check back here for more audit tips over the next few months.

Or better yet, sign up now on myauditprep.com to start receiving free, custom tips—straight from the experts and download our free Special Report on the Food Safety Modernization Act.

Want more? You might also like:

How Food Processing Managers Should Document Pest Management Activity

Part of helping maintain a pest-free food processing facility involves tracking your Integrated Pest Management (IPM) efforts. For managers, this means having the right documentation on hand to monitor trend data and determine whether changes to the program are necessary. While this documentation is …

Keep Reading »

3 Forms of Documentation to Have on Hand for Third-Party Audits

Managing a food processing plant is no easy task. To achieve food safety, routine third-party audits are essential. So, how can food processing facility managers maintain a textbook, audit-ready environment? Even with regular facility maintenance and pest management measures, managers may still lose …

Keep Reading »

The Top 3 “Hot Spots” Inside Your Facility

As much as you prioritize keeping pests out of your facility, something has slipped past your preventive measures. You’re not alone – food processing facilities have so much to offer pests. From dry goods and moisture to warmth and dark spaces. To help you narrow down your search for invaders, we’ve …

Keep Reading »