Alabama Administrative Code
Title 420 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
Chapter 420-3-15 - CRAB SANITATION PROGRAM
Section 420-3-15-.05 - Sanitary Facilities And Controls

(a) The water supply shall be adequate, of a safe sanitary quality, and from an approved public or private water supply system which is constructed, protected, operated, and maintained in conformance with applicable State and Local laws, ordinances, and rules.

(b) Bacteriological examination of water supplies at crab meat processing plants shall be made at least every (6) six months or after any repairs or changes in the system. If the sample results show coliform present as reported by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Bureau of Clinical Laboratories, a resample shall be taken within seven days. Whenever two consecutive samples taken on separate days show coliform present, the permit to operate shall be suspended in accordance with appropriate administrative procedures. A sample result of coliform absent with no confluent growth is required prior to reinstatement of the permit.

(c) Hot and cold water, under pressure, shall be provided to all sinks.

(d) Ice used within the plant's operation shall meet all quality standards for water in this rule.

(e) Ice machines shall be installed, operated, and maintained to prevent contamination.

(f) Adequate storage bins, constructed of impervious, non-corrosive materials, readily cleanable, and adequately drained shall be provided for ice.

(a) All sewage, including liquid waste, shall be disposed of by a public sewerage system or by a sewage disposal system constructed and operated according to State law.

(a) Plumbing shall be sized, installed and maintained in accordance with applicable State and Local plumbing laws, ordinances and rules.

(b) There shall be no cross-connections between any potable and non-potable water lines or systems and no connections between a private and public water supply.

(c) There shall be no possibility of back siphonage.

(a) There shall be an adequate number of toilet facilities conveniently located on the premises of every crab meat processing plant. Toilet rooms shall not open directly into any room in which crab meat is processed and/or stored, or into any room in which utensils are washed and/or stored. Toilet rooms shall be provided with tight fitting, self-closing doors, working lights and shall be kept clean and in good repair. Each toilet room shall be provided with adequate ventilation to the outside to prevent odors and excess moisture accumulation.

(b) Drain pipes from toilet room fixtures or other waste pipes shall not be installed above crab meat handling operations or over areas in which equipment or utensils are washed or stored.

(a) Hand wash sink(s) shall be designated for handwashing only and located to facilitate employee use before starting work, after each absence from the work station, after visiting the toilet room, and any other time when the hands may have become soiled or contaminated.

(b) Shall have potable hot and cold water under pressure and be provided with soap.

(a) All refuse and solid waste accumulated during the processing of crab meat and the operation of the crab meat processing plant shall be disposed of in an approved manner according to State and Local laws, so that no nuisance is created.

(b) Containers: Waste containers shall be adequate in number, kept clean, properly identified, and shall be used for no other purpose. All crab processing waste containers shall be leak-proof and non-absorbent.

(c) Storage: Containers filled with crab processing waste shall be removed from the picking room as soon as they are filled and placed in suitable protected storage. Garbage containers outside the plant shall be properly covered and stored on a concrete slab.

(d) Disposal: The disposal of crab processing waste shall be timely and comply with State and Local law and rules so that it does not create a nuisance. Crab processing waste shall be disposed of only in an area approved for the disposal of solid waste.

(a) Effective measures shall be taken to prevent entrance of animals, fowl, insects, rodents, and other vermin into the plant and to prevent their presence on the premises.

(b) There shall be no evidence of rodents in any part of the plant. Necessary insect and vermin control measures shall be used, and such measures shall be in compliance with all State and Federal regulations. The use of insecticides and rodenticides shall be permitted only under such precautions and restrictions as will prevent the contamination of crab meat or packaging materials with unapproved residues, and cause no health hazards to employees.

Authors: Lewis A. Byrd, Ph.D., Toni Ackerson, Nan Steedley