Standard Operating Procedure for Pest Control Measures in Raw Material Warehouse
| Department | Warehouse / Quality Assurance / Safety |
|---|---|
| SOP No. | SOP/RM/157/2025 |
| Supersedes | SOP/RM/157/2022 |
| Page No. | Page 1 of 12 |
| Issue Date | 26/03/2025 |
| Effective Date | 02/04/2025 |
| Review Date | 26/03/2026 |
1. Purpose
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) establishes guidelines for implementing and maintaining effective pest control measures in the raw material warehouse. The purpose is to prevent contamination of raw materials and ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and safety standards.
2. Scope
This SOP applies to all personnel involved in the storage, handling, and maintenance of raw materials within the warehouse. It covers preventive pest control strategies, monitoring, and corrective actions in case of pest infestation.
3. Responsibilities
- Warehouse Personnel: Maintain cleanliness and report any signs of pest activity immediately.
- Warehouse Supervisor: Oversee pest control activities and ensure adherence to preventive measures.
- Quality Assurance (QA): Conduct regular inspections, verify pest control records, and approve corrective actions.
- Safety Officer: Ensure the safe use of pest control chemicals and monitor their impact on the storage environment.
- Pest Control Service Provider: Perform scheduled pest control treatments and provide detailed reports.
4. Accountability
The Warehouse Manager
is accountable for ensuring that effective pest control measures are in place and followed. The QA Manager is responsible for verifying compliance through regular inspections and documentation.
5. Procedure
5.1 Preventive Pest Control Measures
- Warehouse Cleanliness:
- Ensure daily cleaning of floors, shelves, and storage areas to eliminate food sources and potential breeding grounds for pests.
- Use sealed containers for all raw materials to prevent contamination.
- Document daily cleaning activities in the Warehouse Cleaning Log (Annexure-1).
- Structural Integrity:
- Inspect walls, doors, and windows for cracks or gaps that could allow pests to enter.
- Install door sweeps, air curtains, and screens to prevent pest entry.
- Document structural inspections in the Structural Integrity Inspection Log (Annexure-2).
5.2 Pest Monitoring and Control
- Pest Monitoring Devices:
- Install insect light traps, rodent bait stations, and glue boards at strategic locations within the warehouse.
- Label and number each monitoring device for easy identification.
- Document installation and monitoring in the Pest Monitoring Device Log (Annexure-3).
- Regular Inspections:
- Conduct weekly inspections of pest monitoring devices to detect early signs of infestation.
- Record findings in the Pest Inspection Log (Annexure-4).
5.3 Pest Control Treatments
- Scheduled Treatments:
- Coordinate with a licensed pest control service provider for monthly pest control treatments.
- Ensure treatments are conducted outside of active storage hours to minimize the risk of contamination.
- Document treatment schedules in the Pest Control Treatment Log (Annexure-5).
- Safe Use of Chemicals:
- Ensure all pest control chemicals are approved for use in food and pharmaceutical storage areas.
- Store chemicals in a designated, locked cabinet away from raw materials.
- Document chemical usage in the Pest Control Chemical Log (Annexure-6).
5.4 Corrective Actions for Infestations
- Immediate Response:
- If an infestation is detected, quarantine affected areas and materials immediately.
- Notify the Warehouse Supervisor and QA for further investigation.
- Document the incident in the Pest Infestation Report (Annexure-7).
- Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA):
- Identify the root cause of the infestation and implement corrective actions.
- Review and update pest control measures to prevent recurrence.
- Document actions in the Pest Control CAPA Log (Annexure-8).
6. Abbreviations
- SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
- GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice
- QA: Quality Assurance
- CAPA: Corrective and Preventive Action
7. Documents
- Warehouse Cleaning Log (Annexure-1)
- Structural Integrity Inspection Log (Annexure-2)
- Pest Monitoring Device Log (Annexure-3)
- Pest Inspection Log (Annexure-4)
- Pest Control Treatment Log (Annexure-5)
- Pest Control Chemical Log (Annexure-6)
- Pest Infestation Report (Annexure-7)
- Pest Control CAPA Log (Annexure-8)
8. References
- 21 CFR Part 211 – Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Finished Pharmaceuticals
- WHO Guidelines on Good Manufacturing Practices for Pharmaceutical Products
- OSHA Guidelines for Pest Control in Warehouses
9. SOP Version
Version: 2.0
10. Approval Section
| Prepared By | Checked By | Approved By | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature | |||
| Date | |||
| Name | |||
| Designation | |||
| Department |
Annexure-1: Warehouse Cleaning Log
| Date | Area Cleaned | Cleaning Method | Performed By | Verified By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/03/2025 | Storage Aisle 1 | Sweeping & Mopping | Ravi Kumar | Neha Verma |
| 26/03/2025 | Pallet Storage Area | Vacuum Cleaning | Amit Joshi | Priya Singh |
Annexure-2: Structural Integrity Inspection Log
| Date | Area Inspected | Findings | Corrective Action | Inspected By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/03/2025 | Warehouse Entrance | Small gap under door | Installed Door Sweep | Ravi Kumar |
| 26/03/2025 | Window Ventilation | Cracked Screen | Replaced Screen | Neha Verma |
Annexure-3: Pest Monitoring Device Log
| Date | Device ID | Location | Device Type | Installed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/03/2025 | PMD-001 | Storage Aisle 1 | Rodent Bait Station | Amit Joshi |
| 26/03/2025 | PMD-002 | Loading Dock | Insect Light Trap | Priya Singh |
Annexure-4: Pest Inspection Log
| Date | Device ID | Pest Detected | Action Taken | Inspected By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/03/2025 | PMD-001 | No Activity | None | Ravi Kumar |
| 26/03/2025 | PMD-002 | Flies Detected | Cleaned Trap and Adjusted Lighting | Neha Verma |
Annexure-5: Pest Control Treatment Log
| Date | Area Treated | Treatment Type | Service Provider | Verified By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/03/2025 | Warehouse Perimeter | Rodent Baiting | SafePest Services | Ravi Kumar |
| 26/03/2025 | Loading Dock | Insecticide Spray | PestGuard Solutions | Neha Verma |
Annexure-6: Pest Control Chemical Log
| Date | Chemical Name | Quantity Used | Area Applied | Applied By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/03/2025 | Brodifacoum | 200g | Perimeter Bait Stations | Amit Joshi |
| 26/03/2025 | Permethrin | 100ml | Loading Dock | Priya Singh |
Annexure-7: Pest Infestation Report
| Date | Area Affected | Type of Infestation | Immediate Action Taken | Reported By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/03/2025 | Storage Aisle 2 | Rodent Droppings Found | Quarantined Area and Re-baited | Ravi Kumar |
| 26/03/2025 | Pallet Storage Area | Flies Detected | Applied Insecticide Spray | Neha Verma |
Annexure-8: Pest Control CAPA Log
| Date | Identified Issue | Corrective Action | Preventive Action | Implemented By | Verified By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/03/2025 | Rodent Activity in Aisle 2 | Increased Baiting and Sealed Entry Points | Weekly Monitoring and Structural Repairs | Ravi Kumar | Neha Verma |
| 26/03/2025 | Flies in Loading Dock | Applied Insecticide | Installed Air Curtains | Amit Joshi | Priya Singh |
Revision History:
| Revision Date | Revision No. | Revision Details | Reason for Revision | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2024 | 1.0 | Initial Version | New SOP Implementation | QA Head |
| 26/03/2025 | 2.0 | Added CAPA Procedures for Infestations | Enhance Pest Control Effectiveness | QA Head |