Texas Administrative Code › Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES › Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES › Chapter 217 - MILK AND DAIRY › Subchapter D - BULK MILK REGULATIONS › Section 217.61 - Bulk Milk Hauler/Sampler Qualifications and Requirements

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) Requirements
				  for bulk milk hauler/sampler certifications.
(1) Each hauler/sampler shall complete a
				  comprehensive training program provided by the department, which shall include
				  a course teaching specific procedures necessary to properly handle milk from
				  the dairy farm to the plant, receiving station, or transfer station. This
				  program shall further include practical field training sufficient to develop a
				  proficient working knowledge of proper bulk milk handling procedures.
(2) After training has been completed, each
				  hauler/sampler shall pass a qualifying examination administered by the
				  department. Candidates failing the exam with a score of less than 70%, shall be
				  denied permits or licenses until they can achieve a passing score of 70%. The
				  examination should be adequate enough to determine if a bulk milk
				  hauler/sampler is competent. The exam shall be composed of a minimum of 20
				  total questions broken down into the following areas:
(A) six questions relating to sanitation and
				  personal cleanliness;
(B) six
				  questions relating to sampling and weighing procedures;
(C) four questions relating to equipment,
				  including proper use, care, cleaning, etc.; and
(D) four questions relating to proper record
				  keeping requirements.
(3) An industry sponsored training program
				  may be used in lieu of this program, provided that:
(A) such training program meets or exceeds
				  the minimum standards and requirements set forth in these
				  regulations;
(B) the department has
				  issued a letter indicating the acceptance of the training program;
				  and
(C) the qualifying examination
				  is administered by the department.
(4) Bulk milk haulers/samplers successfully
				  qualifying by examination and who have been satisfactorily evaluated in the
				  field will be certified by the department to perform milk hauler/sampler
				  duties. Only those milk haulers/samplers having certification issued by the
				  department or by the authorized Regulatory Agency of another state will be
				  allowed to remove milk from a farm bulk milk tank and collect milk samples for
				  laboratory examination.
(5) All
				  official milk samplers, including bulk milk haulers/samplers, shall be
				  evaluated at least once every 24 months by the department or by the authorized
				  Regulatory Agency of another state.
(6) The department may issue temporary
				  hauler/sampler certifications in emergency situations without the prescribed
				  examinations, evaluation and training program, provided acceptable
				  certification of competence is made by the employer of the individual. A
				  temporary permit is only valid for 30 days.
(7) The department may suspend a
				  hauler/sampler certification when, upon investigation, the department finds a
				  violation of any of the following:
(A) this
				  subchapter; or
(B)
												§
												217.2
				  of this title (relating to Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance).