The RMAA assists abattoirs with increasing profits, safety and quality while reducing losses. This is achieved by evaluation and identification of non-compliances, corrective training and recommendations regarding various aspects. RMAA Services include the following aspects but abattoirs may request support in terms of their own requirements. The custom-made contracts can be prolonged if needed to suit individual requirements.
ASPECTS WHERE SUPPORT MAY BE REQUIRED |
Slaughter Technique Training: Slaughter personnel are trained practically at each slaughter station. The training report forms part of the HMP for slaughter and dressing as well as for evidence of training conducted. |
Certification of Slaughter Operators: Fifteen slaughter operators per day are evaluated at slaughter stations as indicated by the abattoir. Each learner receives a certificate indicating at which stations they were found competent. (Usually more than 1 day) |
Hygiene Awareness Training (Non-Seta): Personal Hygiene Training is a regulatory requirement. Personnel already trained also needs refresher courses in order to consistently comply with requirements. |
Practical Abattoir Skills: Includes slaughter technique training, hygiene awareness, cleaning & sanitation and equipment handling |
Animal Handling Evaluation & Training: Animal Handling Training is a regulatory requirement. Inhumane animal handling leads to bruises, injuries, carcass weight loss, spread of contamination, short shelf life and a poor quality product. Training is conducted theoretically but mostly practically from lairages to bleeding. |
Food Safety Management System (HACCP) Awareness: Workers are equipped with a basic understanding of Food Safety Management Systems and the necessity of correct recordings. Food safety principles, HMS, Monitoring, Control of CCP’s and Corrective Action Procedures are covered. |
HMS GAP Evaluation: HMS GAP evaluation is conducted to identify shortcomings into Meat Safety Regulations and a detailed report is provided. |
HMS (Food Safety Management System) Support: Assistance is provided with compilation of procedures and records and updating of existing systems. |
Line layout: It is important to ensure that the workload is spread evenly on the slaughter line and that it runs at an even speed without bottle-neck situations which lead to loss of production time, exhaustion of some workers and ineffective use of others. Re-distribution of functions on the line is suggested to ensure optimal use of each worker. |
Carcass Yield: Reasons for loss of carcass weight is investigated. Training or other corrective actions are then implemented. |
Hide & Skin Damage: Hide and skin damage is investigated and corrective training or other corrective actions implemented to prevent these. |
Offal Handling: Often the operators in these areas are neglected in terms of training. The training is aimed at improving the offal handling environment. |
Equipment Evaluation: Improperly maintained equipment may lead to contamination, damage, wastage, unsafe situations, inhumane animal handling, losses, additional expenditure, regulatory non-compliance, poor audit results, pest infestations, difficulty in cleaning and sanitation etc. Training is conducted in the correct handling of the equipment and defects pointed out in a detailed report. |
Management Tools for Better Control: (Stock control, Deepbone temperature control, Dispatch control, Incidences, Personnel attendance, Down time). Documentation which may enhance better management is discussed and provided to the supervisor/ manager. |