(a) Inspector's Office. Office space, including, but not being limited to furnishings, light, heat, and janitor service, shall be provided rent free in the official establishment, for the use of Government personnel for official purposes. The room or space set apart for this purpose must meet the approval of the Inspection Service and be conveniently located, properly ventilated, and provided with lockers or file cabinets suitable for the protection and storage of supplies and with facilities suitable for inspectors to change clothing. At the discretion of the Administrator, small plants requiring the services of less than one full-time inspector need not furnish facilities for Program employees as prescribed in this section, where adequate facilities exist in a nearby convenient location. Each official establishment shall provide commercial laundry service for inspectors' outer work clothing, or disposable outer work garments designed for one-time use, or uniform rental service garments which are laundered by the rental service.

(b) Facilities for ante mortem inspection. A suspect pen is required for adequate ratite inspection.

(c) Facilities for the Streamlined Inspection System (SIS). 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.

(d) Facilities for the New Line Speed (NELS) inspection system. 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.

1 This requirement may be met by deluxe cool white type of fluorescent lighting.

(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.

(e) Facilities for the New Turkey Inspection (NTI) System. The following requirements for lines operating under the NTI System are in addition to the normal requirements to obtain a grant of inspection and to the requirements for the NTI System in § 381.76 (b) and (c).

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

(i) The conveyor line must 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 (e)(1)(iii) of this section) in its lowest position shall not be less than 60 inches.

(ii) Floor space shall consist of 8 feet along the conveyor line; at least 4 feet for the inspector, and at least 4 feet for the establishment helper.

(iii) The inspector's station shall have an easily and rapidly adjustable platform with a minimum width of 2 feet which covers the entire length of the station (4 feet). The platform must adjust vertically a minimum of 14 inches, and must have a 42-inch rail on the back side and 1/2-inch foot bumpers on the sides and the front to allow safe working conditions.

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

(v) 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 wide enough to prevent trimmings, drippage, and debris from accumulation on the floor or platforms. The clearance between suspended carcasses and the trough must be sufficient to prevent contamination of carcasses by splash.

(vi) A minimum of 200 foot-candles of shadow-free lighting with a minimum color rendering index value of 85 1 where the birds are inspected to facilitate inspection is required. The minimum lighting requirement for inspection stations in § 381.52(b) shall not apply.

1 This requirement may be met by deluxe cool white fluorescent lighting.

(vii) On-line handrinsing facilities with a continuous flow of water shall be provided for and within easy reach of each inspector and each establishment helper.

(viii) Hangback racks shall be provided for and within easy reach of the establishment helper.

(ix) 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 the reinspection station:

(i) Floor space shall consist of a minimum of 3 feet along the conveyor line so carcasses can be removed from each line 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 must not be less than 48 inches.

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

(iv) A minimum of 200 foot-candles of shadow-free lighting with a minimum color rendering index of 85 1 at the table surface is required.

(v) A clipboard holder shall be provided for holding the recording sheets.

(vi) Handwashing facilities shall be provided for and 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 this station.

(f) Facilities for post-mortem inspection under the New Poultry Inspection System. The following facilities requirements apply to establishments operating under the New Poultry Inspection System and are in addition to the requirements for obtaining a grant of inspection.

(1) The following provisions apply to the online carcass inspection station:

(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.

(ii) The conveyor line must be level for the entire length of the online carcass inspection station. The vertical distance from the bottom of the shackles to the top of the platform (paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section) must not be less than 60 inches.

(iii) Each online carcass inspection station must have a platform that is slip-resistant and can be safely accessed by the inspector. The platform must 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 must be a minimum length of 4 feet and have a minimum width of 2 feet. The platform must 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.

(iv) Conveyor line stop/start switches must be located within easy reach of the online carcass inspector.

(v) A minimum of 200 foot-candles of shadow-free lighting with a minimum color rendering index value of 85 must be provided where the birds are inspected to facilitate online carcass inspection.

(vi) Hand rinsing facilities must be provided for use by and within easy reach of the online carcass inspector. The hand rinsing facilities must have a continuous flow of water or be capable of being immediately activated and deactivated in a hands-free manner, must minimize any splash effect, and must otherwise operate in a sanitary manner that prevents contamination of carcasses and inspector clothing. The hand rinsing facilities must provide water at a temperature between 65 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

(vii) A separate clipboard holder for holding recording sheets must be provided for and within easy reach of the online carcass inspector.

(viii) Receptacles for condemned carcasses and parts that comply with the performance standards in § 416.3(c) of this chapter must be provided at each online carcass inspection station.

(ix) Hangback racks designed to hold at least 10 carcasses must be provided and positioned within easy reach of the online carcass inspector.

(x) A buzzer shall be located within easy reach of the online carcass inspector to be used by the carcass inspector to alert the inspector-in-charge, offline inspectors, or establishment management of conditions that require their attention.

(2) The following provisions apply to pre-chill and post-chill offline verification inspection stations:

(i) One or more offline verification inspection stations must be located at the end of the line or lines prior to the chiller. One or more offline verification inspection stations must also be located after the chiller or chillers. The Agency will determine the total number of offline verification inspection stations needed in establishments having more than one processing line or more than one chiller.

(ii) Floor space for all offline verification inspection stations must consist of a minimum of 3 feet along each conveyor line and after each chiller, as applicable, to allow carcasses to be removed for evaluation by the verification inspector. The space must be level and protected from all traffic and overhead obstructions.

(iii) At the pre-chill location, the vertical distance from the bottom of the shackles to the floor must not be less than 48 inches.

(iv) At each offline verification inspection station, a table designed to be readily cleanable and drainable must be provided for offline verification inspectors to conduct offline verification activities. At turkey slaughter establishments, the table must be at least 3 feet wide, 2 feet deep, and 3 feet high. At all other poultry slaughter establishments, the table must be at least 2 feet wide, 2 feet deep, and 3 feet high

(v) A minimum of 200 foot-candles of shadow-free lighting with a minimum color rendering index of 85 on the table surface must be provided.

(vi) The establishment must provide a separate clipboard holder for holding recording sheets; or alternatively, the establishment may provide electronic means for the offline verification inspector to record inspection results.

(vii) Hangback racks designed to hold at least 10 carcasses must be provided and positioned within easy reach of the offline verification inspector.

(viii) Hand washing facilities must be provided within easy access of all offline verification inspection stations.

(3) [Reserved]

(4) A trough or other similar drainage facility must extend beneath the conveyor at all places where processing operations are conducted from the point where the carcass is opened to the point where 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 suspended carcasses and the trough must be sufficient to preclude contamination of carcasses by splashing.

[37 span 9706, May 16, 1972, as amended at 38 span 9794, Apr. 20, 1973; 47 span 23434, May 28, 1982; 49 span 42554, Oct. 23, 1984; 50 span 37512, Sept. 16, 1985; 52 span 39209, Oct. 21, 1987; 64 span 56416, Oct. 20, 1999; 66 span 22905, May 7, 2001; 79 span 49633, Aug. 21, 2014; 88 span 55913, Aug. 17, 2023]

(a) No operations requiring inspection shall be conducted except under the supervision of an Inspection Service employee. All eviscerating of poultry and further processing shall be done with reasonable speed, considering the official establishment's facilities.

(b) A shift is a regularly scheduled operating period, exclusive of mealtime. One lunch period is the only official authorized interruption in the inspector's tour of duty once it begins. Lunch periods may be 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or in any case may not exceed one hour in duration. Once established, the lunch period must remain relatively constant as to time and duration. Lunch periods for inspectors shall not, except as provided herein, occur prior to 4 hours after the beginning of scheduled operations nor later than 5 hours after operations begin. In plants where a company rest break of not less than 30 minutes is regularly observed, approximately midpoint between start of work and the lunch period, and the inspector is allowed this time to meet his personal needs, the lunch period may be scheduled as long as 5 1/2 hours after the beginning of scheduled operations.

(c) Official establishments, importers, and exporters shall be provided inspection service, without charge, up to 8 hours per shift during the basic workweek subject to the provisions of § 381.38: Provided, That any additional shifts meet requirements as determined by the Administrator or his designee. The basic workweek shall consist of 5 consecutive 8-hour days within the administrative workweek Sunday through Saturday, except that, when possible, the Department shall schedule the basic workweek so as to consist of 5 consecutive 8-hour days Monday through Friday. The 8-hour day excludes the lunch period but shall include activities deemed necessary by the Agency to fully carry out an inspection program, including the time for FSIS inspection program personnel to put on required gear, pick up required forms and walk to a work station; and the time for FSIS inspection program personnel to return from a work station, drop off required forms, and remove required gear; and to conduct duties scheduled by FSIS, including administrative duties. The Department may depart from the basic workweek in those cases where maintaining such a schedule would seriously handicap the Department in carrying out its functions. These provisions are applicable to all official establishments except in certain cases as provided in § 381.145(h) of this subchapter.

(d)(1) Each official establishment shall submit a work schedule to the area supervisor for approval. In consideration of whether the approval of an establishment work schedule shall be given, the area supervisor shall take in account the efficient and effective use of inspection personnel. The work schedule must specify the workweek, daily clock hours of operation, and lunch periods for all departments of the establishment requiring inspection.

(2) Establishments shall maintain consistent work schedules. Any request by an establishment for a change in its work schedule involving changes in the workweek or an addition or elimination of shifts shall be submitted to the area supervisor at least 2 weeks in advance of the proposed change. Frequent requests for change shall not be approved: Provided, however, Minor deviations from a daily operating schedule may be approved by the inspector in charge if such request is received on the day preceding the day of change.

(3) Requests for inspection service outside an approved work schedule shall be made as early in the day as possible for overtime work to be performed within that same workday; or made prior to the end of the day's operation when such a request will result in overtime service at the start of the following day: Provided, That an inspector may be recalled to his assignment after the completion of his daily tour of duty under the provisions of § 381.39(b).

[40 span 45800, Oct. 3, 1975, as amended at 40 span 50719, Oct. 31, 1975; 41 span 15401, Apr. 13, 1976; 48 span 6893, Feb. 16, 1983; 51 span 32304, Sept. 11, 1986; 76 span 33980, June 10, 2011; 77 span 59294, Sept. 27, 2012]

(a) The management of an official establishment, an importer, or an exporter shall reimburse the Program, at the rate specified in § 391.3, for the cost of the inspection service furnished on any holiday specified in paragraph (b) of this section; or for more than 8 hours on any day, or more than 40 hours in any administrative workweek Sunday through Saturday.

(b) Holidays for Federal employees shall be New Year's Day, January 1; Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the third Monday in January; Washington's Birthday, the third Monday in February; Memorial Day, the last Monday in May; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, the first Monday in September; Columbus Day, the second Monday in October; Veterans' Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, December 25. When any of the above-listed holidays falls outside the basic workweek, the nearest workday within that week shall be the holiday.

[40 FR 45801, Oct. 3, 1975, as amended at 43 FR 51754, Nov. 7, 1978; 50 FR 51513, Dec. 18, 1985; 52 FR 5, Jan. 2, 1987; 53 FR 13398, Apr. 22, 1988; 54 FR 6390, Feb. 10, 1989]

(a) Each recipient of overtime or holiday inspection service, or both, shall be billed as provided for in § 381.38(a) and at the rate specified in § 391.3, in increments of quarter hours. For billing purposes, 8 or more minutes shall be considered a full quarter hour. Billing will be for each quarter hour of service rendered by each Inspection Service employee.

(b) Official establishments, importers, or exporters requesting and receiving the services of an Inspection Service employee after he has completed his day's assignment and left the premises, or called back to duty during any overtime or holiday period, shall be billed for a minimum of 2 hours overtime or holiday inspection service at the established rate.

(c) Bills are payable upon receipt and become delinquent 30 days from the date of the bill. Overtime or holiday inspection will not be performed for anyone having a delinquent account.

[40 FR 45801, Oct. 3, 1975, as amended at 54 FR 6390, Feb. 10, 1989]