Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1361593
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION APRIL 14, 2021 Page 4 GAP Expectations Change Due to COVID-19…continued from page 3 • Documentation. In addition to the service records, auditors often ask for other documentation related to portable sanitation. For example, the farm is required to have the safety data sheet (SDS) for the soap in the hand wash stations because, in theory, the sink could turn over, the soap could be spilled in the field, and the farm would need to know how to properly clean that up. Inspectors also want to know that water that went into the toilet and went into the hand washing stations came from a potable source. Some portable sanitation companies are putting all of this information on their websites under a special "customer information" or "safety" tab where it can be accessed at will. This saves time for both the customer and the portable sanitation company which no longer has to respond to all the separate farms making requests for documents. Think Ahead Portable sanitation companies should be proactive in response to these changes. When you accept the customer, ask when their audit will be and plan accordingly. For example, if the farm's audit is on a Wednesday morning, but their usual service is scheduled for Monday and Thursdays, odds are good the farm will want a service Tuesday afternoon or early Wednesday morning. Portable sanitation companies will need to build that extra trip and service into their pricing and routing. Consider adding more solar lights to toilet units so that the units are lit in the morning and evenings. This will help keep the units more sanitary. Also consider adding solar fans on the vent stacks to improve ventilation and reduce fly activity inside the unit. While this does increase costs somewhat, the measures are very appreciated by farms and inspectors. Train Staff Make sure that each worker on your team understands there's a different set of expectations on farms. Educate them so they are knowledgeable about GAP procedures when they are interacting with the site bosses and inspectors on farms. It's respectful of everyone and it's better for the economy in the long run. The PSAI is dedicated to providing programs that promote high standards of sanitation worldwide. Through our educational conferences, annual trade shows, and committee work, we provide opportunities for members to share information affecting their areas of the world. We invite all portable restroom operators and industry suppliers to join us in raising standards and keeping our food supply safe. v