§381.76. Post-mortem inspection under Traditional Inspection, the Streamlined Inspection System (SIS), the New Line Speed (NELS) Inspection System, the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS), the New Turkey Inspection System (NTI), and Ratite Inspection. — Inbound Citations

(c) The following requirements for lines operating under SIS are in addition to the normal requirements to obtain a grant of inspection. The requirements for SIS in § 381.76(b) also apply.

(1) The following provisions shall apply to every inspection station:

(i) The conveyor line shall be level for the entire length of the inspection station. The vertical distance from the bottom of the shackles to the top of the adjustable platform (paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this section) in its lowest position shall not be less than 60 inches.

(ii) Floor space shall consist of 4 feet along the conveyor line for the inspector, and 4 feet for the establishment helper. A total of at least 8 feet along the conveyor line shall be supplied for one inspection station and 16 feet for two-inspection stations.

(iii) Selectors or “kickouts” shall be installed in establishments with two inspection stations on a line so each inspector will receive birds on 12-inch centers with no intervening birds to impede inspection. The selector must move the bird to the edge of the trough for the inspector and establishment helper. The selectors must be smooth, steady, and consistent in moving the birds parallel and through the inspection station. Birds shall be selected and released smoothly to avoid swinging when entering the inspection station.

(iv) Each inspector's station shall have a platform that is slip-resistant and can be safely accessed by the inspector. The platform shall be designed so that it can be easily and rapidly adjusted for a minimum of 14 inches vertically while standing on the platform. The platform shall be a minimum length of 4 feet and have a minimum width of 2 feet; the platform shall be designed with a 42-inch high rail on the back side and with 1/2-inch foot bumpers on both sides and front to allow safe working conditions. The platform must have a safe lift mechanism and be large enough for the inspector to sit on a stool and to change stations during breaks or station rotation.

(v) Conveyor line stop/start switches shall be located within easy reach of each inspector.

(vi) A trough or other facilities shall extend beneath the conveyor at all places where processing operations are conducted from the point where the carcass is opened to the point where the trimming has been performed. The trough must be of sufficient width to preclude trimmings, drippage, and debris from accumulating on the floor or platforms. The clearance between the suspended carcasses and the trough must be sufficient to preclude contamination of carcasses by splash.

(vii) A minimum of 200-footcandles of shadow-free lighting with a minimum color rendering index value of 85 where the birds are inspected to facilitate inspection.

(viii) Online handrinsing facilities with a continuous flow of water must be provided for and within easy reach of each inspector and each establishment helper. The hand-contact element must be rinsed automatically with a sufficient volume of water to remove all fat, tissue, debris, and other extraneous material from the hand contact element after each use. Both hot and cold running water shall be available at each inspection station on the eviscerating line and shall be delivered through a suitable mixing device controlled by the inspector. Alternatively, water for hand washing shall be delivered to such inspection stations at a minimum temperature of 65 degrees F.

(ix) Hangback racks shall be provided for and positioned within easy reach of the establishment helpers.

(x) Each inspection station shall be provided with receptacles for condemned carcasses and parts. Such receptacles shall comply with the performance standards in § 416.3(c) of this chapter.

(2) The following provisions shall apply only to prechill and postchill reinspection stations:

(i) Floor space shall consist of a minimum of 3 feet along each conveyor line and after each chiller to allow carcasses to be removed for evaluation. The space shall be level and protected from all traffic and overhead obstructions.

(ii) The vertical distance from the bottom of the shackles to the floor shall not be less than 48 inches.

(iii) A table, at least 2 feet wide, 2 feet deep, and 3 feet high designed to be readily cleanable and drainable shall be provided for reinspecting the sampled birds.

(iv) A minimum of 200-footcandles of shadow-free lighting with a minimum color rendering index of 85 on the table surface shall be provided.

(v) A separate clip board holder shall be provided for holding the recording sheets.

(vi) Handwashing facilities shall be provided for and shall be within easy access of persons working at the stations.

(vii) Hangback racks designed to hold 10 carcasses shall be provided for and positioned within easy reach of the person at the station.

The maximum number of birds to be inspected by each inspector per minute under the traditional inspection procedure for the different young chicken and squab slaughter line configurations are specified in the following table. These maximum rates will not be exceeded. The inspector in charge will be responsible for reducing production line rates where in the inspector's judgment the prescribed inspection procedure cannot be adequately performed within the time available, either because the birds are not presented by the official establishment in such a manner that the carcasses, including both internal and external surfaces and all organs, are readily accessible for inspection, or because the health conditions of a particular flock dictate a need for a more extended inspection procedure. The standards in 381.170(a) of this part specify which classes of birds constitute young chickens and squabs. Section 381.76(b) specifies when either the traditional inspection procedure or the modified traditional inspection procedure can or must be used.

(i) On each production line, at a point before the chiller and after the establishment has completed all sorting, trimming, and reprocessing activities necessary to comply with § 381.76(b)(6)(ii), at least 4 feet of floor space along the conveyor line must be provided for one online carcass inspection station.

(d) The following requirements for lines operating under the NELS inspection system are in addition to the normal requirements to obtain a grant of inspection and to the requirements for NELS in § 381.76 (b) and (c).

(1) The following provisions shall apply to every inspection station:

(i) The conveyor line shall be level for the entire length of the inspection station. The vertical distance from the bottom of the shackles to the top of the adjustable platform (paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section) in its lowest position shall not be less than 60 inches.

(ii) Floor space shall consist of 6 feet along the conveyor line for the establishment employee presenting the birds, 4 feet for the inspector, and 4 feet for the establishment helper. A total of at least 42 feet along the conveyor line shall be supplied for three inspection stations.

(iii) Selectors or “kickouts” shall be installed so the three inspection stations will receive birds on 18-inch centers with no intervening birds to impede inspection. The selector must move the bird to the end of the trough for the presenter, inspector, and establishment helper. The selectors must be smooth, steady, and consistent in moving the birds parallel and through the inspection station. Birds shall be selected and released smoothly to avoid splashing the mirror (paragraph (d)(1)(vii) of this section) and swinging when entering the inspection station. Guide bars shall not extend in front of the inspection station mirror to avoid obstructing the inspector's view.

(iv) Each inspector's station shall have an easily and rapidly adjustable platform, with a minimum of 14 inches of vertical adjustment, which covers the entire length of the station (4 feet) and has a minimum width of 2 feet. The platform shall be designed with a 42-inch high rail on the back side and with 1/2-inch foot bumpers on both sides and front to allow safe working conditions.

(v) Conveyor line stop/start switches shall be located within easy reach of each inspector.

(vi) A trough shall extend beneath the conveyor at all places where processing operations are conducted from the point where the carcass is opened to the point where the trimming has been performed. The trough must be of sufficient width to preclude trimmings, drippage, and debris from accumulating on the floor or platforms. The clearance between the suspended carcasses and the trough must be sufficient to preclude contamination of carcasses by splash.

(vii) A distortion-free mirror, at least 3 feet wide and 2 feet high, shall be mounted at each inspection station so that it can be adjusted between 5 and 15 inches behind the shackles, tilt up and down, tilt from side to side, and be raised and lowered. The mirror shall be positioned in relation to the inspection platform so that the inspector can position himself/herself opposite it 8 to 12 inches from the downstream edge. The mirror must be maintained abrasion free.

(viii) A minimum of 200-footcandles of shadow-free lighting with minimum color rendering index value of 85 1 where the birds are inspected to facilitate inspection. A light shall also be positioned above and slightly in front of the mirror to facilitate the illumination of the bird and mirror surfaces.

(ix) “One-line” handrinsing facilities with a continuous flow of water shall be provided for and within easy reach of each inspector and each establishment presenter and helper.

(x) Hangback racks shall be provided for and positioned within easy reach of the establishment helpers.

(xi) Each inspection station shall be provided with receptacle for condemned carcasses and parts. Such receptacles shall comply with the performance standards in § 416.3(c) of this chapter.

(2) The following provisions shall apply only to the reinspection station:

(i) Floor space shall consist of 6 feet along the conveyor line. The space shall be level and protected from all traffic and overhead obstructions.

(ii) The vertical distance from the bottom of the shackles to the floor shall not be less than 48 inches.

(iii) A table, at least 3 feet wide and 2 feet deep, shall be provided for reinspecting the sample birds.

(iv) A minimum of 200-footcandles of shows free lighting with a minimum color rendering index of 85 1 on the table surface.

(v) A separate clip board holder shall be provided for holding the recording sheets.

(vi) Handwashing facilities shall be provided for and shall be within easy reach of persons working at the station.

(vii) Hangback racks designed to hold 10 carcasses shall be provided for and positioned within easy reach of the person at the station.