Food > Meat and Poultry Products > Manual of Procedures > Chapter 19  

CHAPTER 19 ANNEX C: TRAINING AND ACCREDITATION PROTOCOL

Printer-friendly PDF version

TABLE OF CONTENTS

C.1. Introduction

It is industry’s responsibility to produce safe and wholesome poultry products of acceptable quality. This is facilitated by having industry assume responsibility for detection and removal of defective poultry carcasses during the slaughter process. CFIA has developed a training and accreditation protocol to ensure that establishment staff assigned to detection tasks carry out their duties competently, so that operations proceed under optimum conditions. The training and accreditation provided by CFIA staff shall be carried out as described herein. Company trainers must use equivalent procedures.

Anyone assigned to one or more of the following five positions must be fully trained and accredited as per this protocol:

• Carcass defect detectors;
• Cavity defect detectors;
• Viscera defect detectors;
• FPS monitors; and
• Presentation standards monitors.

Establishment employees may be trained and accredited for all five (5) tasks or any combination thereof. Training and accreditation is also species-specific. For example, an employee who works on broiler and fowl defect detection must therefore be trained and accredited for both species. The company must keep up-to-date records (Forms I-VIII of this annex) of each employee’s training and accreditation results for government audit. Copies of all available training and accreditation materials are maintained in the inspection office and by the area program specialist(s).

C.2. Training and Accreditation of Supervisors and Off-line Defect Detectors

The training and accreditation of supervisor(s) of defect detectors and designated personal who perform off-line defect detection activities (do not work as on-line defect detectors) such as: employees who eviscerate and assess for defects non eviscerated carcasses removed from the evisceration line; quality control personal assessing the performance of on-line defect detectors; etc..., shall consist of :

• a three (3) theoretical tests for each defect detection position; and
• a four (4) week (off-line) Trial Period comprised of off-line theoretical tests; and
• a periodic review consisting of a theoretical (off-line) test.

If the person also functions as a replacement for the on-line defect detectors, then the same training and accreditation regime as specified for the on-line defect detectors is required.

C.3. Training and Accreditation of Designated Establishment Trainers

The training of the trainers of the defect detectors shall include one (1) theoretical test and three (3) on-line practical tests for each defect detection position but shall not include the four (4) week Trial Period unless the trainer(s) will also function as a replacement for defect detectors.

Veterinarians and/or inspectors to whom VIC’s have delegated training and accreditation tasks (hereinafter referred to as CFIA staff) shall provide initial training and accreditation of two (2) establishment employees chosen by the operator to act as designated establishment trainers. Establishment trainers must perform in a manner satisfactory to the VIC for CFIA to continue to recognize them as designated establishment trainers. If one or both of these establishment trainer(s) subsequently leave the employ of the establishment in question or alternate job(s) elsewhere, CFIA staff shall train replacement(s) as soon as possible. Once trained and accredited, the establishment trainers shall function as trainers and accreditors for the remaining establishment employees. CFIA reserves the authority to monitor the delivery of training and accreditation as per this annex.

C.4. Training and Accreditation of Defect Detectors

As stated above, once establishment trainers are accredited, they may train and accredit establishment employees using the same training and accreditation process under which they were trained.

The training and accreditation of defect detectors shall consist of one (1) theoretical test, three (3) on-line practical tests and a four (4) week Trial Period.

When employees have successfully completed each of these tests, they are accredited for the position(s) for which they have been trained.

C.5 Training and Accreditation Process: Defect Detection

C.5.1 Theoretical or Off-line Training

C.5.1.1 Carcass Defect Detectors and/or Preselectors

The following steps are recommended:

• The trainer shows the trainee a normal carcass indicating the proper coloration and size;
• The trainer explains the various obviously condemnable conditions that must be detected and removed using specimens and training material developed for this purpose by CFIA. This material includes a colour atlas with photographs to illustrate various conditions. The pathologies described are those most frequently encountered, e.g. Dark Colored Carcasses, Cellulitis, Peri-Cloacal Cellulitis and Imperfect Bleeding. 

C.5.1.2 Cavity Defect Detectors

The following steps are recommended:

• The trainer dissects a carcass in order to clearly identify the internal and external anatomical structures that Cavity Defect Detectors must know in order to perform their work properly. Cavity Defect Detectors must also see the appearance of the cavity, the viscera and the exterior of a normal carcass. The trainer must ensure that they can identify the internal structures such as the air sacs and salpinx.
• The trainer explains the various conditions that must be recognized and identified using specimens (carcasses and viscera with various conditions) and training material developed for this purpose by CFIA. The pathologies described are those most frequently encountered, e.g. Airsacculitis, Salpingitis, Peri- Cloacal Cellulitis and Ascites. The various forms of internal contamination are also described, e.g. contamination by bile, ingesta and fecal material.

C.5.1.3 Viscera Defect Detectors

The following steps are recommended:

• The trainer demonstrates a normal viscera indicating the structures (liver, heart, gizzard, spleen etc.) that the Viscera Defect Detectors must know in order to perform their work properly.
• The trainer explains the various conditions that must be recognized and identified using specimens (carcasses and viscera with various conditions) and training material developed for this purpose by CFIA. The pathologies described are those most frequently encountered, e.g. Airsacculitis, Salpingitis, Hepatitis, Pericarditis and Ascites. The various forms of contamination are also described, e.g. bile, ingesta and fecal material.

Emphasis should be on viscera defects but shall also ensure that employees understand when the corresponding carcasses must also be examined.

C.5.2 Theoretical or Off-line Evaluation

This test determines the employee’s ability to identify specified defects. Employees must undergo this test once they have completed their off-line training and prior to starting their practical training.

C.5.2.1 Theoretical Evaluation Procedure:

• Off-line test on twenty (20) carcasses/viscera.
• Time allotted: 10 minutes.
• Carcass/viscera selection criteria:
  • Choose carcasses/viscera that are representative of the defects that are commonly detected at the establishment;
  • Choose carcasses/viscera with obvious defects (avoid questionable cases or cases that are more difficult to interpret);
  • Choose carcasses/viscera that have only one defect each; and
  • Include one or two normal carcasses/viscera in the group.
• Carcasses/viscera should be identified with numbers so that they may be easily recognized if moved during the test.
• The employee must point out any defects that would make the carcasses/viscera condemnable. The accreditor shall take note of the answers. This is an oral test since a written test is not always possible.
• One (1) point is given for each correct answer. (An answer is correct when it matches the evaluation made by the accreditor when the carcasses/viscera were selected for the test).
• The passing mark is nineteen (19) correct answers for the group of twenty (20) carcasses/viscera, i.e. 95%.
• Form IV found at the end of this document, Employee Record: Theoretical Accreditation, is used to record test results.

The test score shall be reported as "passed" or "incomplete". When an employee fails the test, the accreditor shall identify where the problems are, and ensure that the employee receives additional training in this area before being tested again.

C.5.3 Practical or On-Line Training

The objective of practical training is to make Defect Detectors operational in their regular tasks. The theoretical training must be completed before the practical training can begin.

For the time period specified in the operator’s written training program, the employee shall work as a defect detector under the supervision of the accredited trainer. The trainee must correctly identify carcasses or viscera with specified defects as per the applicable policy. Once the trainee demonstrates on-going competence with the necessary practical skills at normal operating line speeds, the trainer can begin the practical evaluation.

C.5.4 Practical or On-Line Evaluation

An employee must pass the theoretical evaluation, which tests the employee’s off-line theoretical knowledge, to be eligible for the practical evaluation. This practical evaluation test evaluates the employee’s effectiveness under normal working conditions. An employee must pass the practical evaluation test three times to obtain a pass.

Tests must be scheduled so as to include all defects encountered at the establishment (suggest at least one test on a "bad flock" to reproduce worst case scenario).

C.5.4.1 Practical Evaluation Procedure:

• The employee shall take his/her place as a defect detector and evaluate carcasses or viscera. The test must be carried out under normal operating conditions.
• The accreditor is positioned after the employee in order to evaluate the defect detector’s performance. The evaluation is performed using one of the two following options:

  Option A:

  The accreditor conducts an ISO* sample. This is done by randomly selecting 200 carcasses or viscera that have been examined and passed by the defect detector.  (see the sampling procedure for the Defect Detection Standard Ch. 19) The passing criteria is a score of 2 defective carcasses/viscera or less (Acceptance number = 2). The failure criteria is a score of 3 or more (Rejection number = 3). N.B. It is important for the accreditor to count visually rather than touching the carcasses to avoid the trainee knowing which carcasses or viscera will be sampled. * ISO Sampling Plan 2859-1: AQL of 0.4 %

  Option B:

  The accreditor evaluates all of the carcasses or viscera examined and passed by the candidate for a period of fifteen (15) minutes. The passing criteria is a minimum efficacy of 99.6 % [i.e. 100 - (number of defects missed ÷ number examined X 100)]. If the operation is halted during the test, the period of stoppage must be taken into account so that the evaluation is based on a total time of fifteen (15) minutes.

• Should the accreditor find that an excessive number of carcasses or viscera are being selected when they should not have been (false positives), the evaluation must be stopped and the employee’s supervisor informed of the situation. The test shall be repeated when the accreditor judges that the employee is no longer selecting normal carcasses or viscera.
• A carcass or viscera that should have been identified as having a defect, but was not, represents an error on the part of the candidate. Each error is noted and counts for a demerit point.
• In order to pass the practical evaluation, the trainee must pass three on-line tests out of a maximum of 5 attempts.
• Form V found at the end of this document, Employee Record: Practical Accreditation, is used to record test results.

When an employee fails the practical test, the accreditor must identify where the problems lie and ensure that the employee receives appropriate additional training in this area before being tested again. In cases where an employee passes the test once or twice and then fails the second or third time, the employee does not have to start the practical training evaluation process all over again, but need only retake the failed test. However, when an establishment employee fails three (3) out of five (5) consecutive tests, the VIC and the operator shall reassess the suitability of the training process and of the employee as an establishment trainer. Similarly, the establishment trainer(s) and the trainee’s supervisor shall reassess the suitability of the training process and of the establishment employee as a defect detector when the trainee fails three (3) out of five (5) consecutive tests

C.6. Trial Period

Once the trainee has successfully passed the theoretical evaluation (off-line test) and the practical evaluation (the three on-line tests), he or she shall begin a stipulated trial period of four working weeks. During this period, the employee shall perform his or her regular tasks, and be evaluated on a weekly basis by an accredited company trainer until the candidate has passed four on-line tests.

C.6.1 Trial Period Evaluation Procedure:

The same evaluation procedure options that are described in section C.5.4.1 of this annex may be used for the trial period.

The trial period ends when the employee has succeeded in four (4) weekly on-line evaluations. If the employee fails an evaluation twice, he or she must start the trial period over again. The accreditor should identify where problems lie and correct them in an appropriate manner (e.g. additional period of training, or work pairing with a very qualified employee). Once the trial period has been successfully completed, the employee receives his/her accreditation.

NB: If employees rotate through the defect detection positions (carcass, cavity, viscera) they must successfully pass four (4) weekly tests, for each position for which they are being trained. An employee may be trained for all three (3) defect detector positions during the same four (4) week period- this training and accreditation activity can be performed concurrently.

C.7. Periodic Review

Once the trial period has been successfully completed, carcass, viscera and cavity defect detector employees shall be regularly evaluated to determine whether their level of skill remains still satisfactory. The frequency of this review must be specified in the company’s written training program when the accreditation process is addressed.

One evaluation is required for each defect detection position which is the subject of this protocol. The same evaluation procedure options that are described in section C.5.4.1 of this annex may be used for the trial period. A fully accredited employee for the three defect detection jobs must therefore pass three periodical reviews to maintain his/her accreditation for each of the three positions.

If the employee’s score does not meet the standards, the employee shall be notified of the errors made. The employee shall then have to take the test again as soon as possible. Employees who fail the test again will lose their accreditation. They shall be given appropriate training and undergo the entire accreditation process a second time. Employees who obtain satisfactory scores (whether on the first test or when taking the test again if they failed the first time) shall have their accreditation updated and be allowed to continue working in their positions. This periodical review also applies to all establishment trainers. In this instance, the test is administered by a certified CFIA representative.

C.8 Reaccreditation

An employee must be fully reaccredited should any of the following arise:

• The employee has not worked in a given defect detection position for a six month period;
• The employee has failed a periodic review as described in section C.7 two (2) consecutive times;
• The employee has lost their accreditation (see section C.9).

To be reaccredited, the employee must go through the entire training and evaluation process again (theoretical and practical training and evaluation, as well as the four week trial period).

C.9 Loss of Accreditation

Whenever a VIC determines that an accredited defect detector is not performing defect detection in a complete and proper manner, the VIC shall notify the operator. (The ISO tests are one way in which CFIA routinely monitors the performance of establishment defect detectors).

The operator must take immediate corrective action. If, after the corrective action has been taken and the defect detector’s performance is still not deemed satisfactory by the VIC, then the employee must undergo an evaluation. The test is conducted in the same manner as described in Section C.5.4.1, but is given by a CFIA inspector. However, since the quality of the employee’s performance has already been called into question, the employee is permitted only one test (the employee does not have the right to take the test again). If the employee fails this test, the employee automatically loses his or her accreditation. From that moment on, the employee is not allowed to perform the duties of the position in question until such time as he or she has been reaccredited as per section C. 8.

C.10. Grandfather Clause

Please note that this clause applies to those employees occupying the following job positions that have been previously trained and accredited as per this protocol:

• Carcass defect detectors; and
• Cavity defect detectors

C.10.1 Grandfathering procedure:

Defect Detectors are eligible to be grandfathered provided they are judged acceptable by the VIC and pass an evaluation as per section C.5.4.1. Upon successful completion of this test the employee is considered as grandfathered for that position.

The employee’s records shall state the positions for which he/she has been grandfathered.

C.11. Finished Products Standards Trainers and Monitors

CFIA shall train and accredit one (1) or two (2) establishment employees as FPS trainers. These FPS trainers shall be responsible for the training and accreditation of the FPS monitoring personnel.

FPS trainers and monitors with valid and documented accredited status as per this protocol (Annex C) shall maintain their accredited status for MPIP and shall not require any further testing.

C.11.1 Theoretical Evaluation

The operator’s FPS trainers and monitors shall be supplied with copies of the following training materials:

Module Ind-5: Introduction Manual for Industry Trainers

Module Ind-7: The Monitoring of Finished Product Standards (FPS)

Module Ind-7: FPS Questionnaires for Industry Personnel

After studying the available training materials, FPS trainers and monitors shall be given a theoretical questionnaire. The FPS monitoring person must pass the theoretical questionnaire to be eligible for the practical evaluation.

C.11.2 Practical Evaluation

Practical skills in the detection of the various processing, trimming and postchill defects for each species, corrective actions, process action and the completion of the necessary forms, shall be required. These practical skills shall be evaluated as per Section C.11.2.1.

C.11.2.1 Evaluation Procedure:

Under the supervision of the accreditor, the practical evaluation shall consist of two parts:

• Defect knowledge

Ten carcasses with known defects are selected from the line by the accreditor and then the trainee must identify and document the defects in their respective rows and on the correct FPS reporting form.

• Knowledge of FPS test procedures

The trainee shall perform the actual FPS tests (processing, trimming and postchill for each species) by randomly selecting ten carcasses and identifying and documenting the defects in their respective rows and on the correct FPS reporting form.

The final test results of the theoretical and practical accreditation may be entered in Form VII, Employee Record: FPS Accreditation.

C.12. Presentation Standards Trainers and Monitors

CFIA shall train and accredit one (1) or two (2) establishment employees as ISO-based Presentation Standard trainers. These trainers shall be responsible for the training and accreditation of the Presentation monitoring personnel.

Presentation Standard trainers and monitors with valid and documented accredited status as per this protocol (Annex C) shall maintain their accredited status for MPIP and shall not require any further testing.

C.12.1 Theoretical Evaluation:

The operator’s Presentation Standard trainers and monitors shall be supplied with copies of the following training materials:

Module Ind-5: Introduction Manual for Industry Trainers

Module Ind-6: The Monitoring of ISO-Based Presentation Standards

Module Ind-6: ISO-Based Presentation Standards Questionnaires for Industry Personnel

After studying the available training materials, Presentation Standard trainers and monitors shall be given a theoretical questionnaire. The Presentation Standard trainee must pass the theoretical questionnaire to be eligible for the practical evaluation.

C.12.2 Practical Evaluation:

Practical skills in the detection of the various presentation nonconformances, corrective actions, process action and the completion of the necessary forms, shall be required. These practical skills shall be evaluated as per Section C.12.2.1.

C.12.2.1 Evaluation Procedure:

Under the supervision of the accreditor, the practical evaluation shall consist of an actual Presentation Standards test as per Module Ind-6: The Monitoring of ISO-Based Presentation Standards, Section 3.2.

The final test results of the theoretical and practical accreditation may be entered in Form VIII, Employee Record: Presentation Accreditation.

C.13. CFIA’s role in relation to this accreditation protocol

CFIA shall provide training to designated establishment trainers according to this protocol and shall maintain a copy of their accreditation records. All subsequent training, accreditation and documentation shall be the responsibility of the operator. Records must be maintained for CFIA reference, audit and verification purposes.

TRAINING AND ACCREDITATION PROTOCOL FORMS

FORM I - EMPLOYEE RECORD: CARCASS DEFECT DETECTOR ACCREDITATION
Employee’s Name:
Chicken:	Turkey:	Fowl:

* : The condition in question was present and identified in the course of normal operations.

** : If a trainee is not given exposure and training for a defect, a reason must be given below (e.g.: A seasonal condition not present during training). It is important to provide exposure and training when the disease in question is identified.

FORM II - EMPLOYEE RECORD: CAVITY DEFECT DETECTOR ACCREDITATION
Employee’s Name:
Chicken:	Turkey:	Fowl:

* : The condition in question was present and identified in the course of normal operations.

** : If a trainee is not given exposure and training for a defect, a reason must be given below (e.g.: A seasonal condition not present during training). It is important to provide exposure and training when the disease in question is identified.

FORM III - EMPLOYEE RECORD: VISCERA DEFECT DETECTOR ACCREDITATION
Employee’s Name:
Chicken:	Turkey:	Fowl:

* : The condition in question was present and identified in the course of normal operations.

** : If a trainee is not given exposure and training for a defect, a reason must be given below (e.g.: A seasonal condition not present during training). It is important to provide exposure and training when the disease in question is identified.

FORM IV - EMPLOYEE RECORD: THEORETICAL ACCREDITATION
Employee’s Name:
Carcass Defect Detector	Cavity defect Detector	Viscera Defect Detector
Chicken:	Turkey:	Fowl:

* One point is given for each right answer. The passing mark is 95%, or 19/20.

PASSED	INCOMPLETE
Accreditor’s Signature:		Date:

FORM V - EMPLOYEE RECORD: PRACTICAL ACCREDITATION
Employee’s Name:
Carcass Defect Detector	Cavity defect Detector	Viscera Defect Detector
Chicken:	Turkey:	Fowl:

Note 1: Number of carcasses or viscera to be examined by employee: 

For Option A: 200 carcasses/viscera examined

For Option B: The number of carcasses or viscera examined by the trainee during 15-minute test option.

Note 2: For option B only, use the following equation:

Note 3: For option A, the trainee must obtain a result less than or equal to the acceptance number of 2.

For option B, the trainee must obtain a result equal to 99.6 % or better

Overall accreditation rating: the employee must pass three practical tests to complete the accreditation process.

PASSED	INCOMPLETE
Accreditor’s Signature:		Date:

FORM VI - EMPLOYEE RECORD: DEFECT DETECTOR TRAINING CHART
Employee’s Name:
Chicken:	Turkey:	Fowl:

Carcass Defect Detector:
Theoretical Test Mark:		Practical Test Marks:	1	2	3
Probation Tests:
1	2	3	4
Periodical Reviews: (Results + Date)		Accreditation Date:
1	5	9	13
2	6	10	14
3	7	11	15
4	8	12	16
Grandfather clause applicable ?	Yes	No	Date:
Cavity Defect Detector
Theoretical Test Mark:		Practical Test Marks:	1	2	3
Probation Tests:(Not required if previously accredited in CPIP)
1	2	3	4
Periodical Reviews: (Results + Date)		Accreditation Date:
1	5	9	13
2	6	10	14
3	7	11	15
4	8	12	16
Grandfather clause applicable ?	Yes	No	Date:
Viscera Defect Detector
Theoretical Test Mark:		Practical Test Marks:	1	2	3
Probation Tests:
1	2	3	4
Periodical Reviews: (Results + Date)		Accreditation Date:
1	5	9	13
2	6	10	14
3	7	11	15
4	8	12	16

FORM VII - EMPLOYEE RECORD: FPS ACCREDITATION
Name:	Accreditor:
Est. Name:	Est. Number:
Chicken:	Turkey:	Fowl:

Theoretical Evaluation
Questionnaire # :	Theoretical test date:
Passed Incomplete
Practical Evaluation
Defect identification (10 carcasses preselected by accreditor)
Evaluation criteria	Score
	Prechill	Postchill
Nonconformances on 10 preselected carcasses	/10	/10
Nonconformances recorded correctly	/10	/10
Knowledge of FPS testing procedures
Correct random sampling procedure	/2	/2
Finding nonconformances	/2	/2
Correctly recorded on the appropriate form	/2	/2
Correct subgroup total	/2	/2
Current cusum	/2	/2
Description of action (if necessary)	/10	/10
Total points obtained (out of 80)		/80
Percentage Score (%) Passing mark = 80% (ie: 64/80)	Passed	Incomplete

FORM VIII - EMPLOYEE RECORD: PRESENTATION ACCREDITATION
Name:	Accreditor:
Est. Name:	Est. Number:
Chicken:	Turkey:	Fowl:

Theoretical Evaluations
Date:	Questionnaire # :	Passed      Incomplete
Practical Evaluations
ISO-Based Presentation Standards Practical Test Criteria:	Marks
Choice of correct sampling plan: Reduced/Normal/Tightened	/2
Correct random sampling procedure (selection of carcasses and viscera)	/4
All nonconformances identified	/4
Nonconformances recorded correctly	/4
Form completed with all available information	/4
Description of action, if applicable	/2
Passing mark = 80% (i.e. 16/20) Total points obtained (out of 20)	/20
Percentage Score (%)	Passed      Incomplete