West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 61 - Agriculture › Title 61 - LEGISLATIVE RULE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Series 61-19 - WV Manufacture-Grade Milk › Section 61-19-12 - Milk house construction and facilities

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
12.1. A milkhouse or milkroom shall be
				provided and be conveniently located and properly constructed, lighted, and
				ventilated for handling and cooling milk and for washing, handling, and storing
				the equipment and utensils. Other products which would be likely to contaminate
				milk, or otherwise create a public health hazard, shall not be handled in the
				milkhouse.
12.2. The milkhouse or
				milk room should meet the following requirements:
12.2.1. The milkhouse or milkroom that is a
				part of the barn or other building shall be partitioned and sealed to prevent
				the entrance of dust, flies, or other contamination. The floor of the milkhouse
				or milkroom shall be of concrete or other impervious material and graded to
				drain so that there are no pools of standing water. The walls and ceilings
				shall be constructed of smooth easily cleaned material. All newly constructed
				milkhouses shall have walls and ceilings constructed of smooth material kept in
				good repair and well painted with a light-colored washable paint or finished in
				an equally suitable manner. All outside doors shall open outward and be
				self-closing, unless they are provided with tight-fitting, self-closing, screen
				doors that open outward or unless other effective means are provided to prevent
				the entrance of flies or insects. A direct opening between the milkhouse or
				milkroom and the milking barn, stable, or parlor is permitted when the opening
				has a tight fitting, self-closing, solid door. The milkhouse or milkroom shall
				have sufficient air space and air circulation to prevent condensate and
				excessive odors. It shall be provided with natural or artificial light well
				distributed for day or night milkhouse activities.
12.2.2. The milkhouse or milkroom shall be
				equipped with a two-compartment wash vat, utensil rack, milk cooling facilities
				and have an adequate supply of hot water available for cleaning milking
				equipment. If a farm bulk milk tank is used, it shall be situated in the
				milkhouse or milkroom to allow access to all areas of the milkhouse or milkroom
				and to the exterior of the bulk milk tank for cleaning and servicing. The farm
				bulk milk tank shall not be located over a floor drain or under a
				ventilator.
12.2.3. Concentrates
				and feed, if stored in the building, shall be kept in a tightly covered box or
				bin.
12.2.4. The liquid wastes
				shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner. All floor drains shall be accessible
				and shall be trapped if connected to a sanitary sewer.
12.2.5. Vents and light fixtures shall be
				installed in a manner to prevent the contamination of milk and clean
				utensils.
12.2.6. The milkhouse
				structure, equipment, and other milkhouse facilities used in its operation
				shall be kept clean at all times and be free of trash, animals and
				fowl.
12.2.7. Pesticides or
				unapproved antibiotics shall not be stored in this room and when they are used,
				they shall be used in accordance with label instructions so as to prevent
				contamination of the milk.