BROKEN GLASS INCIDENT

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Form O-P20

Page 1 of 3

Issued on: Version No: 1 Revised:

Issued by: Supersedes:

PURPOSE: This procedure applies when an incident of broken glass is

discovered within the plant (all areas except the offices). Broken glass is an
extremely dangerous foreign material and any incident involving it must be
investigated thoroughly.

PERSON MONITORING
FREQUENCY CORRECTIVE ACTIONS RECORDS
RESPONSIBLE ACTIVITY

When findings deviate from

written standards the QA
designate will document
findings on the Daily / Monthly
GMP Audit Form and notify the
Daily GMP General Manager of the Daily GMP Audit,
Audit, Monthly deviation. Monthly GMP
According to
GMP Audit, Audit,
QA Designate, Audit
Daily Cleaning Short term action will be Daily Cleaning &
Cleaning staff Schedule,
& Sanitation initiated and recorded on the Sanitation
As Required
Checklists Daily / Monthly GMP audit Checklists
form. Long term action
required, will be discussed by
management and corrective
actions / responsibilities and
time frames will be agreed and
documented.

EQUIPMENT & CHEMICALS: Broom, brush, dustpan, Hold Tags.

NOTE: Broom & dustpan labeled FOR GLASS CLEANUP ONLY located in
the Janitors rooms

PROCEDURE DESCRIPTION:

1. In the event of an incident involving broken glass anywhere in the plant,

the immediate area must be secured so that glass fragments are not
inadvertently transferred to other areas of the facility.

2. The person discovering the broken glass must stop their work (shut down
equipment if necessary) and notify the Production Manager, Production
Supervisor or Quality Control Manager or Quality Assurance Technician
immediately.

3. The Manager, Supervisor or Technician will determine the risk to the

operations and how to proceed with cleaning.
 BROKEN GLASS INCIDENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Form O-P20
Page 2 of 3

Issued on: Version No: 1 Revised:

Issued by: Supersedes:

4. If a metal-halide or florescent bulb falls from its fixture, the radius of risk is
assumed to be double the height of the fixture above the floor. For
example, if a bulb drops 10 feet, the minimum area to be secured should
be a circle with a 20-foot radius. The person investigating may broaden
the area of risk at their discretion. If broken glass is discovered in contact
with food ingredients received into the plant, a complete shutdown of all
operations using that ingredient must occur immediately.

5. If glass is broken atop a packing line, the line must be shut down
immediately and the following steps taken:

a. All personnel are to stop working on the line affected. Examine your
clothing and hair coverings for fragments of glass (if necessary).
Change your uniform if you suspect contamination with glass particles.

b. With the assistance of an Investigator (Supervisor, Q.C. etc.) tag all

finished goods, packaging materials and bags / containers / totes of
ingredients affected with a HOLD tag (see HOLD procedure). Remove
these to the hold area.

c. Clean the line from the top and move downward, removing as much of
the visible fragments as possible. Do not sweep large, visible fragments
onto the floor where they break into smaller pieces collect in a
dustpan.

d. Quality Control will examine all materials on HOLD and decide

disposition. Any material that is suspect is to be disposed of as non-food
grade scrap.

e. The investigator is to examine the packing line and ensure that the
sanitation steps were adequate.

f. The investigator is to complete an Incident form and copy to the

Operations and Quality Assurance managers.

6. If glass is discovered in contact with food product or food-contact

materials the following steps must be taken:
 BROKEN GLASS INCIDENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Form O-P20
Page 3 of 3

Issued on: Version No: 1 Revised:

Issued by: Supersedes:

a. All personnel are to stop working on the line affected (if applicable).

b. With the assistance of an Investigator (Supervisor, Q.C. etc.) tag all

materials affected with a HOLD tag (see HOLD procedure). Remove
these to the hold area.

c. Quality Control will examine all materials on HOLD and decide

disposition. Any material that is suspect is to be disposed of as non-food
grade scrap.

c. The investigator is to complete an Incident form and copy to the

Operations and Quality Assurance managers.

7. If glass is discovered in the facility where no risk to food or food-

contact surfaces is suspected, it should be cleaned up immediately
and the incident recorded in the Glass & Brittle Plastics Breakages
Log