Archived - Annex C: HACCP Based Slaughter Inspection Program (HIP) for Swine
12.0 Facility Requirements

12.1 Facility and Resource Requirements

Plant management shall provide an approved facility that meets HIP and MOP construction standards. Before a facility can be approved for HIP operations, the responsible RVO and VIC shall review the facility to validate that all HIP facility standards are in compliance with the policy requirements. Once the facility review is completed and all material requirements are found to be in place, CFIA/industry staff training sessions shall be arranged. Once industry staff are trained and qualified, the operator shall carry out all functions and responsibilities designated to the establishment under the HIP.

12.2 Station Requirements

In addition to inspection facilities required under the Meat Inspection Act, Meat Inspection Regulations, 1990 and the MOP, the following additional facilities and equipment are required for the implementation of the HIP.

12.2.1 Mirrors

In establishments where maximum line speeds exceeds 200 cph, each CFIA carcass inspection station shall be equipped with one or more distortion free mirror(s) of sufficient size to provide a clear unobstructed view of the entire dorsal surface of the largest carcass processed. The horizontal width of the mirror shall be at least 4 feet/inspection station equivalent to that of the CFIA inspection station(s). The mirror system can be a one piece tiltable mirror or a two piece canted mirror that allows visualization of the round and back of the carcass. In either case, the mirror system shall be placed far enough from the vertical plane of the carcass to allow the carcass to be turned without contacting the mirror but close enough to provide the required view of the carcass. Where special circumstances allow, the mirror requirement may be waived with the acceptance of the VIC and agreement of the RVO.

The installation of a distortion free mirror at the plant detector station is optional. However, the operator shall ensure that all parts of the carcass are visualized and examined for defect detection.

See subsection 12.2.5 for Evisceration testing station mirror requirements.

The operator shall maintain the cleanliness of all mirrors so visualization of the carcass is possible.

12.2.2 Lighting

It is recommended that the minimum lighting at all inspection and HIP accredited stations be 1000 lux with a minimum Colour Rendering Index (CRI) of 85.

A minimum of 540 lux of shadow-free lighting with a minimum CRI of 85 is required at each CFIA post-mortem inspection station, at each company carcass defect detection station and at the Presentation testing station.

Directional lighting may also be required at the CFIA carcass inspection station and the company detector station to ensure sufficient light is present within the thoracic cavity of the carcass as it passes through the station.

A minimum of 1000 lux is required at the Evisceration testing station(s), the FPS testing station, the carcass rework station(s) and the rework verification station.

12.2.3 Carcass Center Spacing

The minimum distance between swine carcass centers shall be 61.0 cm (24 in).

12.2.4 Table Width

The table or trays shall be wide and long enough to allow for the proper inspection of viscera and to prevent any interference and/or common contact between viscera from adjacent carcasses.

12.2.5 Evisceration Test Station

The space allocated for evisceration testing shall have a minimum length of 92 cm (3 ft), have lighting standards as noted in subsection 12.2.2, and shall safely accommodate 2 people. The station shall be positioned close enough to the carcass line (comfortable arm's length) to allow the tester to manipulate the carcass if necessary. The Evisceration testing station shall be located directly after the process step it evaluates and prior to any alteration to the carcass that would remove or distort the presence of the defects being evaluated. A sanitizer is not required because no trimming is performed at this station.

In establishments where the line speed exceeds 200 cph, a one or two piece distortion free mirror shall be installed at this station to allow for clear visualization of the upper half of the carcass including the tail base, hams and upper back. Where special circumstances allow, the mirror requirement may be waived with the acceptance of the VIC and agreement of the RVO.

12.2.6 Company Employee Presentation Testing Stations

For Presentation testing of heads (MLN), viscera and carcasses, each testing station requires a minimum length of 92 cm (3 ft) and shall safely accommodate two people. Presentation testing stations shall be located next to and upstream from the respective CFIA inspection stations.

12.2.7 CFIA Inspection Stations

Each CFIA inspection station [for head (MLN), viscera and carcass inspection] requires a minimum 1.52 m (5 ft) of dedicated work space. Each station shall have a complete hand wash facility and a sanitizer shall also be provided if hand tools are used for inspection.

In establishments where the line speed exceeds 900 cph, a minimum 1.83 m (6 ft) of dedicated work space is required for each CFIA inspection station.

The CFIA Veterinary held rail station shall provide a minimum 2.44 m (8 ft) of dedicated work space and shall be equipped with a complete hand wash facility and sanitizer. The size of this station must be adequate for the establishment's slaughter process capacity.

Note

All CFIA inspection stations are under ergonomic review, and resulting information from these studies may require changes to existing work station requirements.

12.2.8 Finished Product Standards (FPS) Testing Station

Regardless of whether FPS testing is performed off-line or online, the FPS testing station shall be located downstream from the CFIA and company held rails but before the final carcass wash cabinet. This station shall be configured so the test monitor performing the FPS test has access to all parts of the carcass and the station shall be large enough to safely accommodate two people. The station shall be equipped with safety rails, a minimum light intensity of 1000 lux (shadow-free lighting with a minimum CRI of 85) and a clipboard holder.

In establishments where line speeds exceeds 200 cph, the FPS testing station shall be located off the main chain and be of adequate length to collect, inspect and hold the required number of carcasses for a sample set based on ISO sampling plan 2859-1 S-1. The off-line station shall be equipped with a sanitizer and a complete hand wash facility.

In establishments operating at 200 cph or less, FPS testing may be performed online. In those plants where FPS testing is performed on the moving line, the operator's written program shall set out a means of identifying all carcasses in the sample set that are found to have pathological FPS defects that do not pose a contamination concern when exposed to the carcass washer, before they pass through the carcass wash cabinet. These carcasses shall be effectively isolated in the carcass cooler and refurbished.

12.2.9 Carcass Rework Holding Capacity

The operator shall demonstrate their capability of maintaining complete control of rejected lots that enter the carcass cooler. The operator shall provide sufficient rail space to hold the detained lot(s) under full control until each lot is reworked to acceptable standards.

12.2.10 Carcass Rework Trim Station

An acceptable area that will allow effective rework of the detained carcasses shall be provided prior to further processing or shipping of chilled carcasses. The carcass rework station may be a permanent or mobile station. Regardless, it shall be adequately equipped with a sanitizer, record holder, 1000 lux lighting and convenient access to complete hand wash facilities. The stand shall not contact the carcasses and must be located in an open area acceptable to the VIC.

12.2.11 Rework Verification Station

This station requires a minimum length of 92 cm (3 ft) to safely accommodate two people and shall be equipped with 1000 lux lighting. The station can be located in the carcass cooler or immediately following the rework trim station when rework is done at the entrance to the processing room. The station must provide the monitor with access to all parts of the carcass.

12.2.12 Speed Display Meter

An accurate digital line speed (chain speed) indicator for the main carcass dressing chain must be provided on the slaughter floor in a location that is convenient and visually accessible for recording purposes. A 1% margin of error shall be allowed for inherent variations in the system.