Can Laboratory personnel report to a function other than Quality?

[pmiele]

Currently, all data shown on our laboratory reports are from tests carried out by laboratory technicians who report to QA. Our company is considering to have some of the tests performed and reported by foreman, who report to production. Is there anything in ISO or QS that prevents us from doing this? Does it make sense?

 

[David Guffey]

I take it you are not bothered by the "fox watching the hen-house" syndrome. Given that, you must be certain you state what qualifications these persons must have and then demonstrate they have had the training and have shown appropriate levels of proficiency. If you can do that, you should be fine. Oh, yeah... make sure the org chart and the position descriptions get changed enough to show that in this role there is adequate independence.

 

[pmiele]

The "fox watching the hen-house" syndrome is exactly what is bothering me, but no one else. Is adequate training (theoretical and technical in-house training) enough for the qualifications? How do we show appropriate levels of proficiency? A ferw months of parallel testing? What's this about the org chart and the position descriptions to show that in this role there is adequate independence? They must still report to the plant supervisor (production). Thanks for your help so far.