If I eavesdrop by accident during an Audit should I react?

Howard Atkins

Forum Administrator
Staff member
Admin
#1
A question that was discussed in my presence recently was this:
If during an Audit I accidentally hear someone say something that implies that a NC is being hidden should I act on this or ignore it?

What does the panel think?
 
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A

Aaron Lupo

#2
Re: If I eavesdrop by accident should I react?

A question that was discussed in my presence recently was this:
If during an Audit I accidentally hear someone say something that implies that a NC is being hidden should I act on this or ignore it?

What does the panel think?
Was this during an internal audit or external audit. If during an external audit I would ignore until after they have left then approach the area and left them know that "Hey I over heard that during the audit that ...... was happening and the auditor did not see this, however, this is something that we really need to fix before it causes us some problems inthe future."

If during an internal audit I would just approach them and say something along ths lines of "I couldn't help but hear that ......... was happening, we really need to document this and fix it".

JMHO
 
C

Craig H.

#3
Re: If I eavesdrop by accident should I react?

Was this during an internal audit or external audit. If during an external audit I would ignore until after they have left then approach the area and left them know that "Hey I over heard that during the audit that ...... was happening and the auditor did not see this, however, this is something that we really need to fix before it causes us some problems inthe future."

If during an internal audit I would just approach them and say something along ths lines of "I couldn't help but hear that ......... was happening, we really need to document this and fix it".

JMHO
Yes, but if it is an external audit, and we are the auditor(s)? I think we have to act on it, from an ethical standpoint. It would be quite uncomfortable, though.
 

Coury Ferguson

Moderator here to help
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Super Moderator
#5
Re: If I eavesdrop by accident should I react?

Yes, but if it is an external audit, and we are the auditor(s)? I think we have to act on it, from an ethical standpoint. It would be quite uncomfortable, though.
Craig, I will agree with you from an ethical standpoint. If it is an External Audit, it would depend on what the comment was regarding. If it affects the QMS or may cause failure of a product to be delivered to a customer then I would take the appropriate action, by evaluating and investigating the comment. I would not want to jump to any conclusion without proper investigation. It could have been made by someone who is a Short-Timer or disgruntled.
 
Last edited:

Randy

Super Moderator
#6
Actually something like this might require me to mention it to my guide or the MR and follow up afterwards.

It may also be a big HS story :horse: to put one on a wild goose chase.
 
#7
Depends what's being discussed - how serious is the issue? Is a customer related issue or a 'document control' thing? I'd need a bit more than just knowing that it's an NC, Howard.
Nice idea, though!

Andy
 
G

Greg B

#8
If the respondent is giving misinformation to the auditor then I'd react as I do when I follow the auditor around and wrong information is passed. I have found some auditees want to complain about 'their lot in life' thru the auditor and this can mislead the auditor. I'd nip it in the bud straight away.
 

Howard Atkins

Forum Administrator
Staff member
Admin
#9
Of course the question needs to be defined better. mea culpa:(

1) External audit
2) Heard by auditor
3) Refers to incorrect calibration.

The discussion was divided equally between ignore and react.
 
C

Craig H.

#10
Of course the question needs to be defined better. mea culpa:(

1) External audit
2) Heard by auditor
3) Refers to incorrect calibration.

The discussion was divided equally between ignore and react.
This could be effectively handled through the strategic asking of questions that start generally and narrow down to the calibration in question. If the calibration technique is incorrect, the last question could be "...where did you get this technique from, is it ASTM?

Of course, as Greg mentioned, this could be someone with an axe to grind, so caution and discretion are in order.
 
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