TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED PROCEDURE
01
Primary Connect+ statement.
Primary Connect+ (PC+) is responsible for maintaining cold chain integrity from the point of collection to the nominated delivery destination.
The PC+ driver requires site access at the collection point to perform temperature checks which will verify products are being supplied at the correct temperature. PC+ customers are responsible for ensuring their products are at the correct temperature prior to and during the loading process.
PC+ will not recognise any claim where conclusive evidence validates the temperature controlled procedure was adhered to and supporting documentation by way of temperature recordings and trailer/ container download is provided.
TEMPERATURE
Product temperatures.
The table below sets out the product and temperature ranges which must be maintained in the PC+ network from collection through to delivery, unless otherwise specified in a written contract or prescribed procedure.
Mixed commodity loading is not acceptable. Chilled, Frozen or Confectionery cannot be loaded or transported in the same trailer/container.
COMMODITY
Fresh Poultry
Fresh Meat Hilton sites
Chilled/Perishable
Fresh Meat WoW sites
Frozen (excluding Baked Products)
Frozen Baked Goods
Confectionery
Produce
PRIMARY CONNECT DC RECEIVING TEMPERATURES
(INCL. X-DOCK, IWT, HUB)
-2°C to 5°C
-2°C to 2°C
-1°C to 5°C
≤ -18°C
≤ -15°C or hard frozen
10°C to 18°C
Product specific
Refer to customer/grower
Fresh cuts -1°C to 5°C
PROTECT
EQUIPMENT
Consolidation –cross contamination.
Adequate measures (e.g. thermal protective devices) must be taken to protect temperaturesensitive products such as, produce fresh cuts and herbs, etc., from freezer burn during transport if consolidated with chilled or fresh stock.
Food products that are susceptible to leaking, including, but not limited to, Liquids, Meat, Seafood, Poultry and known allergens must not be consolidated with pre-packaged Chilled lines.
Equipment specification requirements.
The desired trailing fleet standards are:
+ Single evaporator trailer/container refrigeration systems with airflow chutes.
+ Trailers/containers with air ventilation floors to promote better airflow.
+ Live independent continuous temperature monitoring system monitoring 3 locations in the trailer/container (front, middle, rear) separate to the refrigeration unit.
+ Refrigeration unit cycles must be set to ‘continuous’.
INSPECTION
Pre-trip trailer/container inspections.
Carriers are to ensure temperature controlled trailers/containers are pre-cooled in line with the product intended to be transported. Loading can only commence when:
+ The vehicle has reached the required set point temperature.
+ Trailers/containers must be cleaned in line with HACCP requirements.
+ Sufficient load restraint equipment is available.
+ Refrigeration unit is fuelled.
RESPONSIBILITY
Customer collections.
Customer responsibilities.
+ Ensure products are at the correct temperature for despatch.
+ Confirm the trailer/container temperature is set correctly and the trailer is clean and suitable for loading.
+ Pallet wrapping should not block the space between top and bottom pallet boards (refer to the photos on page 10-11).
+ Allow drivers access to check and record product temperature. A minimum of 20% of the customer pallets will be checked prior to loading. A combination of pallets from the front, middle and back of the load will be checked.
+ Pallets should not be loaded above the trailer/container load height control line.
+ Ensure pallets are positioned and secured appropriately to avoid load shift and damage. Load restraint boards should be criss-crossed
to ensure airflow is not impacted (refer to the photos on page 10-11).
+ Loading bars are not to be left positioned near the ceiling impacting airflow.
+ Where the carrier is not allowed access to the loading dock to check and record temperatures, the customer will assume responsibility for temperature and loading compliance.
+ Collection sites without temperature controlled docks where product integrity may be impacted will have stock returned to the collection point if there is a temperature rejection at the delivery point. PC+ will not accept responsibility for these temperature failures.
Carrier responsibilities.
+ Pre-trip inspection completed.
+ Confirm the trailer/container temperature is set correctly and the trailer is clean and suitable for loading.
+ Provide the driver with a calibrated thermometer with accuracy to <0.5 degrees.
+ Train the driver to check temperature by probing between two cartons.
+ Advise any temperature concerns immediately to Primary Connect+ Customer Service (1800 PRIMARY) prior to loading or leaving the site.
Driver responsibilities.
+ Check and record product temperature. A minimum of 20% of the customer pallets will be checked prior to loading. A combination of pallets from the front, middle and back of the load will be checked.
+ Temperature is to be checked by probing between two cartons.
+ In the event a temperature reading is higher than the temperature range noted on the load tender, the driver will contact their operations team who will contact Primary Connect+ Customer Service.
+ If the customer does not allow temperature checks to be performed, the driver will contact their operations team who will contact Primary Connect+ Customer Service.
+ Do not collect any pallets which are outside of the commodity temperature range.
+ Ensure pallets are positioned and secured appropriately to avoid load shift and damage. Load restraint boards should be criss-crossed to ensure airflow is not impacted (refer to the photos on the next page).
+ Pallets should not be loaded above the trailer/ container load height control line.
+ Loading bars are not to be left positioned near the ceiling impacting airflow.
Load restraint board placement.
Pallet shrink wrapping.
Space between pallet boards is not blocked by shrink wrap.
Space between pallet boards is blocked by shrink wrap.
CONSOLIDATE
Cross Docking/ hub consolidation.
Inbound Cross Dock team responsibilities.
+ Temperature check a pallet from each supplier. A combination of pallets from the front, middle and back of the load will be checked while the driver is still on site.
+ Product temperature is checked by carefully opening the carton and measuring between two items with a suitable thermometer.
+ Stage/store pallets in a suitable temperature controlled environment.
+ Advise temperature concerns immediately to Primary Connect+ Customer Service prior to the inbound carrier leaving site.
Outbound Cross Dock team responsibilities.
+ Allow the driver to temperature check a minimum of 20% of the pallets from the load. A combination of pallets from the front, middle and back of the load will be checked.
+ Confirm the trailer/container fridge motor temperature is set correctly and the trailer is clean and suitable for loading.
+ Ensure pallets are positioned and secured appropriately to avoid load shift and damage. Load restraint boards should be criss-crossed to ensure airflow is not impacted (refer to the photos on page 10-11).
+ Pallets should not be loaded above the trailer/ container load height control line.
+ Loading bars are not to be left positioned near the ceiling impacting airflow.
+ Pre-despatch load sheet to be completed and signed by loader and driver.
Carrier responsibilities.
+ Pre-trip inspection completed.
+ Confirm the trailer/container temperature is set correctly and the trailer is clean and suitable for loading.
+ Provide the driver with a calibrated thermometer with accuracy to <0.5 degrees.
+ Temperature is to be checked by probing between two cartons.
+ Advise any temperature concerns immediately to Primary Connect+ Customer Service prior to loading or leaving the site.
Driver responsibilities.
+ Check and record product temperature. A minimum of 20% of the customer pallets will be checked prior to loading. A combination of pallets from the front, middle and back of the load will be checked.
+ Temperature is to be checked by probing between two cartons.
+ In the event a temperature reading is higher than the temperature range noted on the load tender, the driver will contact their operations team who will contact Primary Connect+ Customer Service.
+ Do not collect any pallets which are outside of the nominated temperature range.
+ Ensure pallets are positioned and secured appropriately to avoid load shift and damage. Load restraint boards should be criss-crossed to ensure airflow is not impacted (refer to the photos on page 10-11).
+ Loading bars are not to be left positioned near the ceiling impacting airflow.
Delivery.
Carrier responsibilities.
+ When on dock do not open trailer/container doors until the DC receiving doors have been opened.
+ Advise Primary Connect+ Customer Service team if there are any temperature concerns or rejections whilst the vehicle is on site. Do not leave site until instructions are received from PC+. DELIVER
Rejections and claims.
+ In the event of a rejection or cold chain non conformance the carrier should contact Primary Connect+ Customer Service whilst the vehicle is still on site. Failure to comply may result in a claim against the carrier.
+ PC+ will investigate and advise next steps.
Carriers will be asked to provide:
+ Non-editable full microcontroller journey temperature download (max 30 min. intervals).
+ Drivers runsheet with collection temperatures recorded.
+ Loading plan.
+ Supporting documentation, such as photos showing temperature readings and settings.
Cross Docking hubs will be asked to provide:
+ Inbound temperature recordings.
+ Customers despatch documentation.
+ Outbound load documentation.
+ Outbound loading plan.
+ Photos of loaded trailer/container.
Customers will be asked to provide:
+ Proof of collection.
+ Product load out temperatures.
of Responsibility
Pre Despatch Load Sheet
