SOP on Personnel Qualification for Aseptic Processing and Sterility Testing Area

Objective:

To lay down the procedure for Personnel Qualification to enter and work in Aseptic Processing area and Sterility Testing Area.

Scope:

This SOP is applicable for Personnel Qualification to work in Aseptic Processing and Sterility testing Area.

Responsibility:

Chemist or above of Microbiology Laboratory.

Head – Microbiology Section.

Accountability:

Head – Quality Control

Head – Quality Assurance

Procedure:

For Aseptic Processing Area

The need of personnel qualification to work in Aseptic Processing Area shall be identified by Head-Microbiology Department in coordination with Head- Production (Injectables) based on their requirement in the concerned area.

The personnel shall mainly include from production, microbiology and maintenance departments.

All the identified personnel shall be qualified initially and re-qualified minimum once in a year.

The qualification activity shall be performed in two phases.

Phase-1 (Preliminary Qualification): This shall include Class room training of the person, written test, Gowning demonstration, Trial gowning and Preliminary monitoring of the person for Viable Count.
Phase-2 (Final Qualification): This shall include observation of person activities in aseptic processing area and Monitoring of the person for Viable Count after performing the activities in the Aseptic Processing Area. This phase of qualification shall be performed during routine production or during process simulation (media fill) studies.

Preliminary Qualification

A person I operator shall undergo classroom training by Head-Microbiology and Head-Injectable Production. The training shall include the following topics:
Basics of microbiology.
• Disinfection and sanitization.
• Sterilization.
• Personal hygiene.
• Aseptic gowning, entry, behavior in aseptic processing area.
• Relationship of manufacturing and handling procedures to potential sources of product contaminations.
• Consequences of product contamination.

Training procedures may include relevant SOP procedures, Slide and or power point presentations.

An attendance record shall be maintained for the training of the person.

After classroom training the person shall be evaluated by a written test, as per questionnaire (model) which shall include ten objective type questions from each relevant topic.

The questions may be changed from person to person and or session to session.

Person shall be given maximum of three chances to qualify the written test.

After successful training the person shall be given demonstration on aseptic gowning by the Head-Production (Injectable) or Head-Microbiology or their nominees.

After aseptic gowning demonstration, the person shall undergo trial gowning procedures. The gowning trials shall be observed by Head-Microbiology.

After sufficient practice the person shall be allowed to enter into change rooms of aseptic processing area as per SOP No.: (up to changing of sterile gown). The gowning procedure shall be checked by the microbiologist.

After complete dressing of sterile gown the person shall be monitored for viable counts in all locations (as per the procedure given in SOP on Viable Particle Monitoring — Sterile Product Manufacturing Facility) by microbiologist using surface contact (RODAC) plates and the person shall be allowed to exit from the exit change rooms.

The viable particle count shall be monitored in all locations (as per schematic diagram) and the results shall be recorded.

This monitoring shall be repeated for at least three consecutive days (preferably at different times).

The results of this viable monitoring shall be reviewed by Head-Microbiology.

Head—QA Department shall evaluate Preliminary qualification report and qualify the person for Phase-2.

Final Qualification

After preliminary qualification the person shall under go Final qualification to work in aseptic manufacturing area during media fill trial I routine production.

The person shall be allowed to enter and work in aseptic manufacturing area for at least two hours.

The activities of the person shall be observed and recorded  by both Microbiology and Production (Injectables) Heads.

After each day I shift of activity the person shall be monitored for viable counts for at least four locations (locations of both hands are mandatory) using the procedure followed during preliminary qualification.

The results shall be recorded in ‘Personnel Monitoring Report given in SOP on Viable Particle Monitoring — Sterile Product Manufacturing Facility’.

The monitoring shall be performed at least three consecutive days, for final qualification.

The results of this viable monitoring shall be reviewed by Head-Microbiology and attached to ‘Final Qualification Report’.

Final Qualification report  shall be evaluated by Head-QC Department and approved by Head-QA Department.

Head—Microbiology shall intimate the qualification result to person who was undergone the qualification tests and shall receive the signature on duplicate copy of intimation.

Copy of intimation shall be sent to Head-Production (Injectables)

All the documents generated during personnel qualification shall be compiled in the form of file and submitted to QA.

The qualification sequence is represented by a schematic representation.

Acceptance Criteria

The person should score more than 90% of marks in each written test.

The viable particle monitoring results during preliminary monitoring shall be with in the specified levels as mentioned.

The person shall wear and maintain the aseptic gown properly and should work properly.

The viable particle results during monitoring for final qualification shall be with in the specified levels mentioned in ‘Personnel Monitoring Report given in SOP on Viable Particle Monitoring — Sterile Product Manufacturing Facility’.

For Sterility Testing Area

Personnel qualification for Sterility testing area shall also be done using almost same procedure with some of changes mentioned below.

Head-QC shall identify the need for qualification of personnel for sterility testing area, in coordination with Head-Microbiology.

The personnel shall mainly include from microbiology and maintenance departments.

The qualification activity shall be performed in two phases, following the same procedure mentioned in qualification for aseptic processing area.

Class room training shall be given by Head-Microbiology and the training shall include the following topics
Basics of microbiology.
• Disinfection and sanitization.
• Sterilization.
• Personal hygiene.
• Aseptic gowning, entry, behavior in sterility testing area.
• Aseptic testing and sources of contaminations during sterility testing.

After sufficient gowning practice the person shall be allowed to enter in to change rooms of sterility testing area following concern entry and exit SOP (up to changing of sterile gown). The gowning procedure shall be checked by the experienced microbiologist.

After complete dressing of sterile gown the person shall be monitored for viable counts in all locations (as per the procedure given in SOP on Viable Particle Monitoring — Sterility testing area) by experienced microbiologist using surface contact (RODAC) plates and the person shall be allowed to exit from the exit change rooms.

For ‘Final qualification’ the person shall be allowed to enter and work in sterility testing area for at least two hours.

The activities of the person shall be observed and recorded  by Head-Microbiology.

After each day I shift of activity the person shall be monitored for viable counts for at least four locations (locations of both hands are mandatory) using the procedure followed during preliminary qualification.

The results shall be recorded in ‘Personnel Monitoring Report given in SOP on Viable Particle Monitoring — Sterility Testing Area’.

Acceptance Criteria

The person shall get more than 90% of marks in each written test.

The viable particle monitoring results during preliminary monitoring shall be with in the specified levels as mentioned.

The person shall wear and maintain the aseptic gown properly and should work properly.

The viable particle results during monitoring for final qualification shall be within the specified levels mentioned in ‘Personnel Monitoring Report given in SOP on Viable Particle Monitoring — Sterility Testing area.

References(If any):

Not Applicable

Reason for Revision

Periodic Revision

Abbreviations:

QC: Quality Control

SOP: Standard Operating Procedure

 

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION FOR ASEPTIC PROCESSING/STERILITY TESTING AREA

Check list for Aseptic Processing Area

Name of Person:  
Code:   Designation:
Department.:  

 

Activity Ok Not Ok
Press door interlocking of sump, open the door with elbow, enter and remove plant uniform and footwear.    
Press door interlocking of first change room with elbow and enter    
Rinse the hands with Sterillium    
Wear primary garment in following sequence in first change room, by taking care to avoid contact with floor

Cap               Shirt and trouser             Booties.

   
Press door interlocking of second change room with elbow and enter    
Sanitize the hands with Sterillium.    
Wear the pre-sterilized hand gloves in second change room, in a manner that the bare hands shall not touch outer surface of gloves    
Sanitize the hands with Sterillium.    
Press door interlocking of third change room with elbow and enter    
Open the garment cubicle and take the bag consisting of sterile secondary garment    
Wear sterile garment in following sequence, by taking care to avoid contact with floor.

Head gear without touching outer surface – Boiler suit- Goggles

   
Ensure that loose ends of head cover are tucked inside the boiler suit    
Sit on the cross over bench  
Tie up one booty and cross the leg on other side of the bench    
Tie up the other booty without touching the bench by hand and cross over bench.    
Discard the empty bag in the waste bin provided in the change room    
Look into the mirror to check the proper gowning and ensure that no body part is exposed    
Press door interlocking of buffer change room with elbow and enter    
Sanitize the gloved hands with disinfectant and wear secondary gloves and disinfect again    

Put (√) mark in appropriate column

Remarks:_______________________________________________________________

Observed By (Microbiologist):

 

   PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION FOR ASEPTIC PROCESSING/STERILITY TESTING AREA

Check list for Sterility Testing Area Gowning      

Name of Person:  
Code:   Designation:
Department.:  

 

Activity Ok Not Ok
Show access card to interlocking system to enter into change Room-1. Remove apron, cap and place street garments in the dedicated cubicle.    
Remove the lab slippers and keep them aside.Sanitize the hands with 70% IPA.Press door interlocking switch of change room-2 with elbow and enter.Sanitize the Hands with Sterillium.    
Wear primary garment in following sequence in   change room-2, by taking care to avoid contact with floor

Head gear – Jacket   – trouser –   Booties.

   
Press door interlocking switch of change room-3   with elbow and enter.Sanitize the Hands with 70% IPA    
Switch OFFthe UV Light of the garment cubicle and Open the door.Pick and wear a pair of Sterile gloves aseptically. Sanitize the gloved Hands with 70% IPA.    
Pick up a bag of Sterile garment containing headgear,boiler suit.Open the bag and wear Head gear first,followed by Boiler suit and booties.    
Tie the boiler suit over the belly with the help of the string provided.Close the garment from top to bottom with zipper.Wear the booties.    
Sanitize the Hands with 70% IPA.Pick up and wear goggles from the cubicle. Sanitize the Hands with 70% IPA.    
Press door interlocking switch of change room-4   with elbow and enter.Check in the mirror for proper gowning.    
Press door interlocking switch with elbow and enter the Sterility Testing Area.    

Put (√) mark in appropriate column

Remarks:___________________________________________________________________

Observed By (Microbiologist):                                           Checked By(Head-Microbiology):

 

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION FOR ASEPTIC PROCESSING/STERILITY TESTING AREA

                                    Final Qualification Report

Name of Trainee:  
Code:  
Designation:  
Department.:  

 

Tests                  Status                Remarks
OK Not OK
Preliminary Qualification Qualified/Not Qualified
Activities in Aseptic Processing Area Proper/Not Proper
Viable Count in final Qualification Within acceptable level/Not within acceptable level

Put (√) mark in appropriate column.

Reports attached/Not attached. 

Remarks:______________________________________________________________

Result: Qualified/Not qualified to enter and work in aseptic processing/Sterility Testing area.

Requalification Due:

Evaluated By(Head-QC):                               Approved By(Head-QA):

 

   PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION FOR ASEPTIC PROCESSING/STERILITY TESTING AREA

Observation of Personnel activity in Aseptic Processing Area      

Name of Trainee:  
Code:   Designation:
Department.:  

 

Activity Yes No
Is the Person moving /working in the aseptic processing area slowly and rhythmically?    
Is the person disinfecting the hands before and after touching any surface?    
Is the person leaning over any sterile material?    
Is the person sitting on any surface in the aseptic processing area?    
Is the person picking any material lying on the floor?    
Is the person sneezing / spitting / coughing in the aseptic processing area?    
Is the person keeping all the sterilized materials in the safe place?    
Is the person performing any activity, which may alter the sterility of the product?    
Is the person laughing or talking in aseptic processing area?    

Put (√) mark in appropriate column

Remarks:___________________________________________________________________

Observed By (Head-Injectable Production):                                           Checked By(Head-Microbiology):

 

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION FOR ASEPTIC PROCESSING/STERILITY TESTING AREA

                                    Preliminary Qualification Report

Name of Trainee:  
Code:  
Designation:  
Department.:  

 

Tests Status                  Remarks
OK Not OK
All relevant training attendance Attended/Not Attended
All written tests Attended/Not Attended
Aseptic Gowning Proper/Not Proper
Viable Count in preliminary Qualification Within Acceptable level/ Not within Acceptable level

Put (√) mark in appropriate column 

Remarks:______________________________________________________________

Result: Qualified/Not qualified for final qualification

Reviewed By(Head-Microbiology):                                                         Evaluated By(Head-QC):

 

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION FOR ASEPTIC PROCESSING/STERILITY TESTING AREA

Report of Viable Particle Count(Preliminary Qualification)

Section Areas
Time of test From Activity
To Microbiology Ref. No.
Medium Used Medium Lot No.
Tested on Reported on

 

Incubation
Temperature Time Incubator I.D. No.
20 – 25oC From:                 To:
30 – 35oC From:                 To:

 

Name of Person , Code, Department and Designation Location Code

 

 

Total viable Count (CFU’s / Contact Plate)
After 72 hrs After further 48 hrs Total Viable count after

5 Days

Bacterial Fungal Bacterial Fungal
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RH

LH
RC
LC
FR
FL
RA
LA
RE
LE
AR
AL

RB

LB
  Observation done by
Date of observation

Acceptable levels:

Location

Code

Location Name Acceptable level of Total Viable Count (CFU’s / Contact Plate)
RH Right hand < 1
LH

Left hand

< 1
RC

Right Chest

3
LC

Left Chest

3
FR Fore head-right 3
FL Fore head-Left 3
RA Right arm pit 3
LA Left arm pit 3
RE Right Elbow 3
LE Left Elbow 3
AR Abdomen-Right 3
AL Abdomen-Left 3

RB

Right booty 5
LB Left booty 5

Interpretation: The Personnel monitored for viable counts by Contact Plates are within / Not within the acceptable levels.

Comments: _________________________________________________________________

Done By:                                                                                                          Checked By:

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