W. Va. Code R. § 61-19-12

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 61-19-12 - Milk house construction and facilities

12.1. A milkhouse or milkroom shall be provided and be conveniently located and properly constructed, lighted, and ventilated for handling and cooling milk and for washing, handling, and storing the equipment and utensils. Other products which would be likely to contaminate milk, or otherwise create a public health hazard, shall not be handled in the milkhouse.

12.2. The milkhouse or milk room should meet the following requirements:

12.2.1. The milkhouse or milkroom that is a part of the barn or other building shall be partitioned and sealed to prevent the entrance of dust, flies, or other contamination. The floor of the milkhouse or milkroom shall be of concrete or other impervious material and graded to drain so that there are no pools of standing water. The walls and ceilings shall be constructed of smooth easily cleaned material. All newly constructed milkhouses shall have walls and ceilings constructed of smooth material kept in good repair and well painted with a light-colored washable paint or finished in an equally suitable manner. All outside doors shall open outward and be self-closing, unless they are provided with tight-fitting, self-closing, screen doors that open outward or unless other effective means are provided to prevent the entrance of flies or insects. A direct opening between the milkhouse or milkroom and the milking barn, stable, or parlor is permitted when the opening has a tight fitting, self-closing, solid door. The milkhouse or milkroom shall have sufficient air space and air circulation to prevent condensate and excessive odors. It shall be provided with natural or artificial light well distributed for day or night milkhouse activities.

12.2.2. The milkhouse or milkroom shall be equipped with a two-compartment wash vat, utensil rack, milk cooling facilities and have an adequate supply of hot water available for cleaning milking equipment. If a farm bulk milk tank is used, it shall be situated in the milkhouse or milkroom to allow access to all areas of the milkhouse or milkroom and to the exterior of the bulk milk tank for cleaning and servicing. The farm bulk milk tank shall not be located over a floor drain or under a ventilator.

12.2.3. Concentrates and feed, if stored in the building, shall be kept in a tightly covered box or bin.

12.2.4. The liquid wastes shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner. All floor drains shall be accessible and shall be trapped if connected to a sanitary sewer.

12.2.5. Vents and light fixtures shall be installed in a manner to prevent the contamination of milk and clean utensils.

12.2.6. The milkhouse structure, equipment, and other milkhouse facilities used in its operation shall be kept clean at all times and be free of trash, animals and fowl.

12.2.7. Pesticides or unapproved antibiotics shall not be stored in this room and when they are used, they shall be used in accordance with label instructions so as to prevent contamination of the milk.

W. Va. Code R. § 61-19-12