Rancid Tales by Den Warren - HTML preview

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Real Clean

I have been both a sanitor and the Plant Sanitation Manager.  Most people have little idea what is involved with such a job.  As a Plant Sanitation Manager, I did not just manage a bunch of janitors.  The requirements of a clean food plant are very rigid.  Also, the job has to be done before the next production shift can get started.

Here are some examples of what should be done;  the drain grates on the floor should be pulled up and sanitized every day; the complete processing machinery should be free from all food particles, including the frame and underside; pumps and pipes that pull food through them must be taken apart and cleaned inside and out, or cleaned in place; everything needs sanitized before it can be used by production.

After cleaning, the area may be swabbed for bacteria.  The swab analyzer reads the light given off by the bacteria to determine if it is present.  If so, the machine needs re-cleaned.  This adds a whole new dimension to trying to get things clean.

Not everyone wants to do this job.  It is always on an off shift.  The pay is generally not high.  As in all jobs, someone too good to be there was on the team.  You really do whatever you can to keep that person happy.

Every day the sanitation manager is responsible for everything that is cleaned by all the sanitors.  If something is not cleaned properly, it can lead to high bacteria counts, and in turn, lost product, if not food borne illness.