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TIMBER PRODUCTS August 2024 HT Newsletter Volume: 08/14/2024
Online Newsletter
Matt McGowan - WPM Program Manager
mmcgowan@tpinspection.com
mmcgowan@tpinspection.com
Office: 770.785.4769
Mobile: 678.480.2451
Mobile: 678.480.2451
For more information on the IPPC program
Please contact:
Matt McGowan
Director of Wood Packaging
Peachtree City GA
Office 770.785.4769
Mobile 678.480.2451
The unauthorized and/or fraudulent use of the TP IPPC mark is illegal and a situation we take seriously. Anyone with information regarding the misuse of IPPC marks should contact TP's WPM Manager immediately. Thank you for helping to protect the integrity of the ISPM 15 program which is vital to our business and economy.
Quotes from Harry S Truman
Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.
Three things can ruin a man: power, money and women. I never wanted power, I never had any money, and the only woman in my life is up at the house right now.
Whether discrimination is based on race, or creed, or color, or land of origin, it is utterly contrary to American ideals of democracy.
Never use two words when one will do best.
America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.
I never sit on a fence. I am either on one side or another.
I never gave anybody hell! I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.
Criticism is something [a president] gets every day, just like breakfast.
Work Hard. Do your best. Keep your word. Never get too big for your britches. Trust in God. Have no fear; and Never forget a friend.
When even one American - who has done nothing wrong - is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth - then all Americans are in peril.
In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves... self-discipline with all of them came first.
There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.
Prepare For Every Visit.
It is very important that each facility in the IPPC WPM program is prepared for a visit by your TP Inspector and potentially ALSC. This preparation includes:
- Making sure that QC procedures are in place and multiple personnel at the facility can locate them.
- Ensuring monthly receiving and shipping records are completed (in board footage) early in the month and are accessible.
- Facilities with heat chambers should confirm:
- That the minimum ISPM 15 standards are met for the material that is treated.
- That all HT reports have been printed, review and signed off on as conforming and then organized for TP or ALSC review.
- Any charges failing to meet conformance are documented and the related charge retreated.
- Confirming all lumber received and inventoried as HT is properly marked and segregated from non-HT material.
- Ensuring all IPPC marked WPM meets the bark requirements.
- Making certain any recycled WPM has old marks obliterated.
- Verifying all IPPC marks meet legibilty requirements.
There should be alternate personnel at each facility that has an understanding of the program and can fill in for the main contact if they are unavailable. There are tools and training that are available to help maintain conformance and these can be provided by your inspector if requested.
Addendums
Addendums are additional documentation used to clarify special situations when they occur at a facility. It is important to know when an addendum is needed so that non-conformances can be avoided due to the confusion that can develop with these unique situations.
Scenarios where an Addendum is needed:
- Records for a secondary location kept at a main facility.
- Lumber reg. 6.2.3 or 6.2.2 used.
- Reused pallets being sorted (a.k.a. Passthroughs).
- When a kit or knockdown is built.
- When one location splits into 2 companies.
- Any special situation where confusion is possible on where ready-to-ship material is located.
- When WPM is marked prior to heat treating.
Addendum requirements:
- On facility letterhead.
- Describes the situation needing an addendum.
- Describes the process details.
- Identifies specific area to audit for conformance.
- Signed by responsible personnel.
- Final approval from TP management.
Once approved, addendums officially become part of of a facility's quality control processes and must be kept with the overall QC procedures for future reference by facility personnel, TP, and ALSC.
Inspector Assistance Appreciated
This is a reminder that TP inspectors visit multiple locations each day and it is greatly appreciated when they receive assistance to complete their audits. This includes:
- Having records that are accessible (QC procedures, received & shipped logs, HT charts, etc.)
- Forklift assistance to break down stacks of WPM to a manageable height for review.
- Assistance in flipping pallets to prevent injury.
- Access to stamps to check inventory and condition.
- Access to interior of heat chamber to review probe condition and possibly placement in WPM.
We understand that this can be challenging since inspections are unannounced and can occur during a hectic period of the day, but the more cooperation inspectors receive in these areas during an audit the quicker they can finish their work so a facility can get back to business as usual. Your cooperation in these areas is always appreciated.