Receiving inspection and testing

The standard requires that the supplier ensures that incoming product is not used or processed (except in the circumstances described in 4.10.1.2) until it has been inspected or otherwise verified as conforming to specified requirements and requires that verification be in accordance with the quality plan or documented procedures. 

The key phrase in this clause is or otherwise verified as it allows you to receive product into your company and straight onto the production line if you have verified that it conforms to the specified requirements before it arrives. An example of this is where you have performed acceptance tests or witnessed tests on the supplier s premises. You may also have obtained sufficient confidence in your supplier that you can operate a Just-in-time arrangement but you must be able to show that you have a continuous monitoring program which informs you of the supplier s performance. 

Regarding purchases made by the supplier, there are three parties the ultimate customer, the supplier, and the supplier s supplier (the subcontractor). The standard has overlooked the fact that items are often inspected on receipt for conformance with the supplier s purchase order and not against requirements placed by the supplier s customer. Product may be nonconforming with the supplier s requirements but not the 

If the user is unable to verify that requirements have been met, you will need to provide evidence either that it has passed your receipt inspection or that it has been certified by the vendor. 

This requirement poses something of a dilemma when purchasing subcontract labor because it cannot be treated the same as product. You still need to ensure, however, that the labor conforms with your requirements before use. Such checks will include verification that the personnel provided have the requisite qualifications, skills, and knowledge and they are who they say they are. These checks can be made on the documentary evidence provided, such as certificates, but you will probably wish to monitor their performance because it is the effort you have purchased, not the people. You will not be able to verify whether they are entirely suitable until you have evaluated their performance. Subcontract labor could be classified as product released prior to verification being performed and so you need to keep records of the personnel and their performance during the tenure of the contract. 

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The standard requires the supplier to hold product until the required inspection and tests have been completed or necessary reports have been received and verified except when product is released under positive recall procedures. Release under positive recall procedures shall not preclude the activities outlined in 4.10.3(a). 

How do you ensure product is held until the required inspections and tests or necessary reports have been received and verified ... 

Inspection and testing—Requires procedures for inspection and testing at receiving, in process, and before shipment. 

Plant items that have been repaired in the workshop should be inspected and tested to ensure, as far as possible, their full return to serviceability. If testing cannot be completed in the workshop, cautionary labels or tags should be appUed to the respective itan to warn that testing has still to be completed before reuse. When these post-repair processes are complete, items not intended for immediate installation should be returned to the stores through normal receiving processes. 

The applicable standards are selected at the basic design stage so as to permeate detailed design and procurement. By the time construction is at hand, the requirements of the selected standards are already embedded in the documents received on-site approved for construction. However, there are some areas where the standards affect directly the site construction, erection, inspection and testing processes. These must be identified as soon as possible and access to them made available to those on site. 

Regular visual inspection of electrical equipment will identify most faulty items, but not all faults can be seen. Because of this, testing at appropriate intervals is required, depending upon the treatment the equipment receives in use. The guidelines in Table 15.2 are given by the HSE on what constitutes appropriate checks, inspections and testing for site electrical equipment. 

All components of a fire alarm system must receive regular inspection and testing. All systems should receive a visual inspection each quarter. Each automatic system should be tested and/ or inspected on an annual basis. Ensure inclusion of fire components and systems in an organizational preventive maintenance plan. Ensure the testing of all supervisory signal devices on a quarterly basis. Test valve tamper switches, water flow devices, duct detectors, electromechanical releasing devices, heat detectors, manual fire alarm boxes, and smoke detectors on a semiannual basis. Test occupant alarm notification devices to include audible and visible devices at least annually. Maintain appropriate testing documentation on all fire-related systems. 

Supplier quality management Sampling and inspection Receiving, warehouse, and storage Inventory management Transport Return and salvage Laboratory controls Laboratory testing... 

Receiving inspection is the first step in the total control program. This generally consists of comparison of what is received to the specification used in developing the purchase order. Acceptance tests on raw materials should be directed toward assurance that the incoming materials are correct and identical from lot to lot. 

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