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What to Expect when Buying Used

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Safety & Quality Standards

SIGMA Equipment prioritizes the safety of your operations and products. When working with pharmaceutical, food, and beverage industries, adherence to strict regulations is not optional—it is a necessity.

We know how important brand reputation is to our clients. Appropriate steps and daily measures must be taken to ensure safety and quality for operators, products, and end consumers.

SIGMA Equipment Wash Bay

What to Look For When Inspecting Equipment

Before purchasing, ensure the machine is safe for operators and production by checking these key areas:

Operator Safety
  • Sufficient guarding and safeties?
  • Functional Emergency Stops (E-Stops)?
  • No exposed pinch points?
  • Any evidence of compromised weld repairs?
Hygiene & Quality
  • Is the equipment wash-down rated?
  • Any signs of rust, corrosion, or chipping paint?
  • Cracks or chips in Lexan guarding?
  • Evidence of harborage points or infestation?
  • Check: What was the last product run?

Industry Specific Standards

Level of inspection varies by industry and placement within the production line.

Pharmaceutical

Holds plant quality and safety standards to the highest level. Machines must be working perfectly and sanitized to strict microbiological levels.

Food & Beverage

Facilities processing raw meats, dairy, or produce perform daily inspections. Allergen-free lines (Gluten-free, Kosher) require specialized regular inspection.

Regulatory Compliance & Audits

Your internal Quality Assurance teams should audit machinery consistently. Additionally, external agencies provide secondary audits to ensure regulatory specifications are met.

USDA FSIS MPI FDA OSHA
Pro Tip: Be "Audit Ready"

Regulatory agencies can audit as they see fit. It is always better to maintain an "audit ready" status at all times rather than scrambling before a visit.

5-Step Sanitization Cycle (USDA Regulations)

Physical Removal
Remove product debris physically from equipment surfaces.
Hot Water Rinse
Rinse equipment to remove any remaining loose debris.
Apply Cleaner
Apply approved chemical cleaners via foaming or soaking.
Final Rinse
Rinse the equipment once more with hot water to remove chemical residue.
Reassemble
Reassemble the machinery for production.

Find the Right Equipment

Knowing the standards for a certain industry helps us understand if a machine will provide value to your operation. To learn more about how we take product and plant standards into account, talk to an expert.

Contact an Equipment Expert