Education: Swabbing Techniques for Sampling the Environment & Equipment

Assure the Integrity of Your Environmental and Equipment Sampling Plan

"Swabbing Techniques for Sampling the Environment & Equipment"
Technician Training Program

Deficiencies and variations in sampling practices can significantly affect the accuracy, consistency, and the usefulness of data. Increasingly, companies with a strong focus on food safety are recognizing the importance of ensuring their technicians’ use of proper sample collection techniques.

Companies rely on their routine environmental monitoring program to gather important microbiological data, identify “hot spots,” implement intervention strategies to control microorganisms, and verify effectiveness of sanitation programs.

“Swabbing Techniques for Sampling the Environment and Equipment" Technician Training Program can help your technicians adhere to scientifically proven techniques, assure the integrity of samples, generate consistent microbiological data, and safeguard your brand.

Over the past four decades, Silliker food experts have conducted investigational and routine microbiological sampling in thousands of food plants, distribution centers and foodservice establishments. Through our total solutions approach, we have helped many leading companies develop environmental monitoring and related employee training programs.

Click here to order your program on the Silliker secure website.

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Technical Content

This program covers the essential topics to assure a through understanding of the basic principles and practices for implementing aseptic techniques.

The Silliker “Swabbing Techniques for Sampling the Environment and Equipment" Technician Training Program can be completed in 45 minutes to one hour. Or, individual modules can be taught in separate sessions. Highly versatile, the program can be used in one-on-one training sessions or shown via a LCD projector for large training groups.

Technicians learn specific recommendations for spoilage organisms and pathogens using pre-hydrated sponges and Dacron-tip swabs.

Topics Covered Include:

A brief overview of microorganisms and purpose of environmental monitoring programs
Defining the important role and expectations of a technician
Explanations of food and non-food contact surfaces, and the Zone Concept
How to assure the sterility of supplier
Preventing cross-contamination of the sample or the plant
Good sample collection flow

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Program Contents
The “Swabbing Techniques for Sampling the Environment and Equipment" Technician Training Program Includes:

A presentation on CD containing video clips and digital pictures that demonstrate proper sampling steps and techniques
A comprehensive facilitator’s presentation guide
A set of 5 technician workbooks that provide learning objectives, step-by-step diagrams, interactive exercises , worksheets and challenging questions. Technicians can refer back to key steps and photos demonstrated during the "Swabbing Techniques for Sampling the Environment and Equipment" technician training program while on the job.
Click here to order additional workbooks.
A quiz addressing key points covered in the program
Certificate of Completion – customizable, printable certificate to provide your technicians with recognition

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Common Mistakes
Common errors cited by food industry QA directors and managers include:

Blowing in the sample bag to get it open
Sticking ungloved, unwashed hand into he bag to get sampling sponge
“Swab and dash” – inconsistently swabbing the target site
“Delicate swabbing” – not applying enough pressure
Setting sampling devices on contaminated surfaces, before or after swabbing

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Computer Requirements

Windows 2000 or XP
800 X 600 Minimum Monitor Resolution
Adobe Acrobat Reader

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Biotrace Partnership
Silliker developed this groundbreaking education program in partnership with Biotrace International Inc., an ISO 9001 manufacturer of high quality, specialized industrial microbiology products. For information on Biotrace International’s environmental sampling products, please log on to www.biotrace.com.

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Technical Content

Program Contents

Common Mistakes

Computer Requirements

Click here to order your program on the Silliker secure website.

Click here to order additional workbooks.

Click here to view and print a PDF Order Form

Contact us to request more information on Environmental Monitoring.

Biotrace Partnership

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Click here for a short demonstration of this program.