Water & Ice: OSHA and FDA Regulations

OSHA REGULATIONS

29 C.F.R. § 1926.51 Sanitation.

Title 29 - Labor

Title 29: Labor
PART 1926—SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION
Subpart D—Occupational Health and Environmental Controls
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§ 1926.51 Sanitation.

(a) Potable water. (1) An adequate supply of potable water shall be provided in all places of employment.

(2) Portable containers used to dispense drinking water shall be capable of being tightly closed, and equipped with a tap. Water shall not be dipped from containers.

(3) Any container used to distribute drinking water shall be clearly marked as to the nature of its contents and not used for any other purpose.

(4) The common drinking cup is prohibited.

(5) Where single service cups (to be used but once) are supplied, both a sanitary container for the unused cups and a receptacle for disposing of the used cups shall be provided.

(6) Potable water means water which meets the quality standards prescribed in the U.S. Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards, published in 42 CFR part 72, or water which is approved for drinking purposes by the State or local authority having jurisdiction.

(b) Nonpotable water. (1) Outlets for nonpotable water, such as water for industrial or firefighting purposes only, shall be identified by signs meeting the requirements of subpart G of this part, to indicate clearly that the water is unsafe and is not to be used for drinking, washing, or cooking purposes.

(2) There shall be no cross-connection, open or potential, between a system furnishing potable water and a system furnishing nonpotable water.

The average American buys four bags of packaged ice each year, 80 percent of it between Memorial and Labor Day. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates packaged ice in interstate commerce as a food, just like other foods and like other foods, packaged ice must be produced according to FDA’s regulation for Current Good Manufacturing Practices in Manufacturing,Packing, or Holding Human Food. This means that ice manufacturers must produce, hold, and transport ice in clean and sanitary conditions,monitor the cleanliness and hygiene of employees, use properly cleaned and maintained equipment, and use water that is safe and sanitary.

FDA REGULATIONS

When FDA investigators inspect packaged ice manufacturing plants, they look at such things as:

• Whether the plumbing in the facility prevents contamination of the ice water supply or

stored ice,

• Whether the water supply is safe and sanitary (e.g., water that meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards for drinking water), and

• Whether the manufacturing facility and grounds are maintained in sanitary condition

Whether it's Water or Ice, B&B Ice & Water has the solution for your needs. For more information contact us at 409-727-5714 or visit our website www.bnbice.com.