Okla. Admin. Code § 35:37-11-26

Current through Vol. 42, No. 8, January 2, 2025

Section 35:37-11-26 - Establishments; requirements for sanitary conditions

(a) Official establishments shall be maintained in sanitary condition, and to this end the requirements of this Section shall be complied with.

(b) There shall be abundant light of good quality and well distributed, and sufficient ventilation for all rooms and compartments to insure sanitary condition.

(c) There shall be an efficient drainage and plumbing system for the establishment and premises, and all drains and gutters shall be properly installed with traps and vents approved by inspection services.

(d) There shall be an ample supply of clean potable water with adequate facilities for its distribution in the plant and its protection against contamination and pollution. This shall include sealing of wells as prescribed by methods and rules as adopted by the Oklahoma Health Department. To assure the potability of the water, a sample from its source and at various places inside the plant must be taken for analyses by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture laboratory or by the appropriate local health department laboratories. Water samples shall be obtained at least one time a year for approved municipal or approved rural water systems, and at least two times a year (each six months) for private water systems. A certificate of water potability acceptance must be issued by the appropriate testing laboratory and it must be posted in a conspicuous place in the plant or available for review as approved by the appropriate district supervisor.

(e) Reuse of water will be approved only to the extent permitted by the Oklahoma State Health Department.

(f) An ample supply of clean potable water of not less than 180°F. shall be furnished and used for the cleaning of inspection equipment, floors, walls, and other equipment that are subject to contamination by the dressing or handling of diseased carcasses, their viscera, and other parts. In lieu of 180°F. water for cleaning and sanitizing mobile slaughter establishments, acceptable chemical sanitizing agents may be used as specified in Part 3 of OAC 35:37-3. The requirements for 180°F. water, however, shall not be waived for plants processing exotic livestock and exotic livestock products. To determine compliance with these requirements, conveniently located thermometers shall be installed by the operator of the official establishment to show the temperature of the water at the point of use.

(g) Ample hot water for general cleaning of rooms and equipment shall be delivered under adequate pressure to conveniently located outlets and shall be of a temperature as to accomplish a thorough cleanup when used with approved detergents and other cleaning agents.

(h) The floors, walls, ceilings, partitions, posts, doors, and other parts of all structures shall be of materials, construction, and finish as will make them susceptible to proper and adequate cleaning. The floors shall be watertight. The rooms and compartments used for edible product shall be separate and distinct from those used for inedible product.

(i) Rails shall be located, and passageway space provided, so that exposed product does not come in contact with posts, walls, and other fixed parts of the building, or with barrels, boxes, and other containers trafficked through holding and operating areas. Exposed product shall not be placed or stored beneath carcasses in coolers or holding areas.

(j) The rooms and compartments in which any product is prepared or handled shall be free from dust and from odors from dressing and toilet rooms, catch basins, hide cellars, casing rooms, inedible tank and fertilizer rooms, and livestock pens.

(k) Every practicable precaution shall be taken to exclude flies, rats, mice, and other vermin from official establishments. The use of poisons for any purpose in rooms or compartments where any unpacked product is stored or handled is forbidden, except under restrictions and precautions as are prescribed by the Board in specific cases. The use of insecticides, rodenticides, and similar pest control substances in hide cellars, inedible product departments, outbuildings, or similar places, or in store rooms containing canned or tierced products is not forbidden but only those approved by the Board may be used. So-called rat viruses shall not be used in any part of an establishment or the premises thereof.

(l) Dogs, cats, and other pets shall be excluded from the interior of official establishments; however, dogs may be permitted on the outer premises for guard purposes.

Okla. Admin. Code § 35:37-11-26

Added at 21 Ok Reg 1181, eff 5-27-04