(a) Ice equipment. Equipment used in ice plants or as part of the facilities producing ice at point of use including, but not limited to, portable can fillers, core sucking devices, drop tubes, tank lids, ice cans, ice manufacturing and ice dispensers shall be handled and maintained in such a manner as to prevent contamination. Equipment shall be located away from areas that could cause contamination such as toilets, vestibules and openings to the outside. If at any time equipment is suspected as having been contaminated by improper handling, this equipment shall be sanitized.     
      (b) Block ice facilities.      
        (1) In order to minimize the possibility of contamination of ice during freezing, the operator employed on the tank floor shall use footwear which is limited to use only on the tank room floor. This footwear cannot be worn when leaving the tank room floor for any purpose. Only authorized persons are to be permitted on the tank room floor or within the ice storage rooms. Signs shall be posted stating that only authorized persons are allowed on the tank room floor and in ice storage vaults.       
        (2) Ice storage vaults. Ice storage vaults must be kept under sanitary conditions and shall be maintained in such a condition as to prevent possible flooding of rooms with waste material. All vaults shall be provided with suitable drains. To prevent possible contamination of ice, all accumulations of rust, fungus growth, mold or slime shall be controlled.       
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §229.115 adopted to be effective March 19, 2001, 26 TexReg 2194; amended to be effective June 4, 2006, 31 TexReg 4432