Personnel Hygiene Training
Aligned with BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 – Clauses 7.1 & 7.2
Requirement Overview
BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 requires that all personnel working in food handling areas receive appropriate hygiene training, both at induction and on an ongoing basis. Training must be tailored to the employee’s duties, risk level, and area of work.
Clause 7.1.1: “The company shall document and implement hygiene standards applicable to the scope of the business.”
Clause 7.2.1: “All personnel, including temporary staff and contractors, shall be appropriately trained prior to commencing work.”
Personnel hygiene training ensures that food handlers understand their role in preventing contamination, protecting food integrity, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
Aligned with BRCGS for Storage & Distribution Issue 4 – Clause 4.3.1 & 4.3.3
Requirement Overview
BRCGS for Storage & Distribution requires that products moved via cross-docking are traceable and controlled at all times, even when they are not held in storage for extended periods.
Clause 4.3.1: “The company shall ensure that traceability is maintained at all stages, including during cross-docking operations.”
Clause 4.3.3: “Procedures shall be in place to ensure that all products handled, including those not stored on-site, remain under control and are not subject to contamination or substitution.”
Cross-docking operations must not compromise product traceability, safety, or integrity. Even with minimal handling and temporary presence, each product must be accurately identified, documented, and protected.
Key Compliance Objectives
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✓ Ensure all staff receive hygiene training appropriate to their role
✓ Reinforce personal hygiene and food safety practices
✓ Prevent contamination risks from poor hygiene behavior
✓ Maintain documented evidence of training and understanding
Step-by-Step Compliance Implementation
1. Develop a Hygiene Training Program
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Core Topics Should Include:
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• Handwashing procedures and personal cleanliness
• Use of protective clothing (PPE)
• Jewelry, cosmetics, nail, and hair policies
• Behavior in food handling areas (e.g., no eating, drinking, or phone use)
• Reporting illness or injury
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Hygiene training curriculum or slides
• Training SOP or policy document
• List of applicable hygiene rules per role/area
- • Handwashing procedures and personal cleanliness • Use of protective clothing (PPE) • Jewelry, cosmetics, nail, and hair policies • Behavior in food handling areas (e.g., no eating, drinking, or phone use) • Reporting illness or injury
- • Hygiene training curriculum or slides • Training SOP or policy document • List of applicable hygiene rules per role/area
2. Conduct Hygiene Training for All Staff
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Training Must Be:
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• Conducted before work begins (induction)
• Reinforced annually or as needed
• Tailored to job function and hygiene risk
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Attendance logs and sign-in sheets
• Dated training records per employee
• Assessments or quizzes (if applicable)
- • Conducted before work begins (induction) • Reinforced annually or as needed • Tailored to job function and hygiene risk
- • Attendance logs and sign-in sheets • Dated training records per employee • Assessments or quizzes (if applicable)
3. Validate Understanding and Compliance
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Verification Activities:
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• Observe hygiene practices during operations
• Perform spot checks and audits
• Use visual cues (signs, posters) to reinforce behavior
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Hygiene audit checklists
• Corrective action logs for non-conformance
• Refresher training records for repeat offenders
- • Observe hygiene practices during operations • Perform spot checks and audits • Use visual cues (signs, posters) to reinforce behavior
- • Hygiene audit checklists • Corrective action logs for non-conformance • Refresher training records for repeat offenders
4. Train Temporary Staff and Contractors
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Training Must Be:
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• Equivalent to that of full-time employees
• Completed prior to site access
• Documented and verified
Evidence to Maintain:
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• Temporary staff orientation logs
• Contractor hygiene agreements
• Refresher or re-certification records
- • Equivalent to that of full-time employees • Completed prior to site access • Documented and verified
- • Temporary staff orientation logs • Contractor hygiene agreements • Refresher or re-certification records
Common Audit Findings & Recommended Fixes
| Audit Finding | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| No hygiene training for new employees | Implement mandatory induction training with tracking log |
| Missing or outdated training records | Create centralized digital/physical record system |
| Training not role-specific | Tailor content by area (e.g., high-care vs. low-risk zones) |
| Poor hygiene observed during audit | Conduct retraining and document corrective action |