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Hi everyone, we just had internal audit of production area I'm responsible for. The auditor found non-conformance and "suggested" corrective actions which I don't agree with. Does internal auditor have a right to force me to implement his corrective actions? I always thought that auditor issue corrective actions request and it is auditee who is supposed to find the best way to solve non-conformance. Obviously corrective action would have to be approved as adequate by auditor.
The method states: "Check if the automatic valve is fully opened".
I explained him that this sentence is redundant and it would be better to remove it from the procedure. It is automatic valve and is supposed to open same way as other 10 automatic valves in the process. It has failed to open only once in last 2 years. I don't see the reason why I'm supposed to check it every time only because it may fail one day (though it may be part of troubleshooting).
Internal auditor said that since it's in the procedure it must be important and I have to follow it and also add tick box on the manufacturing form to prove it is checked each time. He said also that I have no other choice but to implement his corrective actions (because he is more experience in QMS and knows better). I'd appreciate your opinion on this problem.
Our company is working on our QMS (ISO 9001).
The method states: "Check if the automatic valve is fully opened".
I explained him that this sentence is redundant and it would be better to remove it from the procedure. It is automatic valve and is supposed to open same way as other 10 automatic valves in the process. It has failed to open only once in last 2 years. I don't see the reason why I'm supposed to check it every time only because it may fail one day (though it may be part of troubleshooting).
Internal auditor said that since it's in the procedure it must be important and I have to follow it and also add tick box on the manufacturing form to prove it is checked each time. He said also that I have no other choice but to implement his corrective actions (because he is more experience in QMS and knows better). I'd appreciate your opinion on this problem.
Our company is working on our QMS (ISO 9001).
This is a good question.
If you firmly believe checking the valve every time is a waste then there my be other ways to solve the problem that you could talk about. This sort of activity could be part of a Continuous Improvement Project that you bring up after the audit issues are addressed. Rather focusing on the one valve look at the systemic problems of valves not working. You mentioned that there are lots of other valves, can you check ALL valves at the start of end of each shift? Should checking valves be part of a larger PM program that checks monthly and not just operator review? Would it be better for trained maintenance personnel to evaluate equipment rather then an operator?