Is a Post-it acceptable as a Calibration Label?

C

Cat MWP

#1
Our Calibration Coodrdinator has affixed Post-its to several boxes of calibrated instruments with "Calibrated OK", the date and her initials. Is this an acceptable method of labeling?
 
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J

Jason PCSwitches

#2
Our Calibration Coodrdinator has affixed Post-its to several boxes of calibrated instruments with "Calibrated OK", the date and her initials. Is this an acceptable method of labeling?
While there is nothing in the standard (I'm assuming ISO) that specifically addresses labeling, this is not an effective way of identification.

You probably have a calibration procedure, I would review it and see if it addresses labeling. You can also, tactfully, remove the post-it on some of the equipment then ask the coordinator how they can then identify the equipment & calibration status; which is required by the standard.
 

Sidney Vianna

Post Responsibly
Staff member
Admin
#3
Technically, ISO 9001 does not even require any labeling of calibration status. If the device has some form of ID that can be used to track it's calibration status, it would comply with the ISO 9001 requirements.

Now, and in most cases, most organizations that are serious about labeling their I,M&T equipment would not use a post-it note, since it is easily lost.
 
#4
Our Calibration Coodrdinator has affixed Post-its to several boxes of calibrated instruments with "Calibrated OK", the date and her initials. Is this an acceptable method of labeling?
If, for example, it's being used while 'in the lab' to indicate the general status and not for general (shop) usage - since it's not a very robust method...
 

somashekar

Staff member
Super Moderator
#5
Our Calibration Coodrdinator has affixed Post-its to several boxes of calibrated instruments with "Calibrated OK", the date and her initials. Is this an acceptable method of labeling?
Hello Cat MWP. Welcome to the Cove ~~~ :bigwave:
If I ask you the same question, what will be your answer ? That is my answer too.
Is this an acceptable method of labeling?
"Post it" are office use short time message slips, with weak adhesive and for easy paste and remove from one location to another, and then to the trash bin.
Your purpose is different, and needs more permanency and must be able to withstand handling at least upto the calibration validity period.
You are not saying "Happy Birthday" to the instrument, with date and sign and so its ok until next day, and then is no more meaningful ~~~ :nope:
 
Likes: db
#6
"Post it" are office use short time message slips, with weak adhesive and for easy paste and remove from one location to another, and then to the trash bin.
Your purpose is different, and needs more permanency and must be able to withstand handling at least upto the calibration validity period.
You are not saying "Happy Birthday" to the instrument, with date and sign and so its ok until next day, and then is no more meaningful ~~~ :nope:
I think there are two separate questions here. 1) is it prohibited by the standard? And the answer seems to be no. 2) will it work. As Somashekar pointed out, they tend to have weak adhesive. Unless affixed with some stronger type of adhesive, I would expect to come into the room in the morning with all of them on the floor. To me it does not sound like it will work. I think Andy's comment of
AndyN said:
it's not a very robust method
is probably giving it too much credit.
 
M

MIREGMGR

#7
Did she use that technique because she doesn't know where to buy better labels for the task, or doesn't have a budget for that, or would be hassled about the buy?
 
J

Jeorg

#8
Our Calibration Coodrdinator has affixed Post-its to several boxes of calibrated instruments with "Calibrated OK", the date and her initials. Is this an acceptable method of labeling?
I think you've gotten some good answers but let me give you my 2 bits. The standard requires an effective recall method. Unless the post it note method fails it can't be said that it is not effective.

Calibration labels, in general, are a problem. No one looks at them. they get greasy and fall off...etc. etc. The best method is not to use labels at all but to depend on the calibration software to recall all Gages. Since unique identification is also required there should be no problem. I have switched most of my customers over to this method and it has reduced many errors and anxiety. The key is that you need to make a list of gages and their due dates available to everyone depending on how you will do the recall. Most calibration software does this very easily. The procedure should clearly state who is responsible for pulling the gages in when they are due.

Convincing them was tough, at first, because humans tend to get stuck in what they think is required (paradigm) rather than what is the real requirement and purpose.
 
M

Markaich

#9
Technically, ISO 9001 does not even require any labeling of calibration status. If the device has some form of ID that can be used to track it's calibration status, it would comply with the ISO 9001 requirements.

Now, and in most cases, most organizations that are serious about labeling their I,M&T equipment would not use a post-it note, since it is easily lost.
Sydney is quite right, the standard (c7.6c) only requires 'identification in order to determine its calibration status'

However, as an auditor of many years, I would be very dubious seeing post-it notes on any piece of equipment to denote its status...I suggest that is demonstrates a lake of understanding regarding the requirements of the standard. On seeing such, what can only be called, temporary calibration status labelling, I would be taking a very rigourous look at the calibration process.

If you make sure your process enables the identification of the status of any piece of equipment without the labelling then I suggest you remove the post-its...if the process doesn't do this, re-write it so it does.

Hope this helps
M
 

Ninja

Looking for Reality
Staff member
Super Moderator
#10
A good discussion and reality check above.

Agreeing with the above posts, labeling of the gauge with calibration status isn't even required...but it can be a pretty good idea. While ISO requires the gage to be identified, and the calibration of it tracked, it doesn't require the gauge to be ID'd with the calibration recall date.

But stepping back a second...how much labor cost went into determining whether post-it notes are acceptable? And how much do "real" calibration stickers cost ($37/350pcs). It seems it likely is more cost effective to simply use a calibration sticker and bypass the headache...
http://www.uline.com/Product/AdvSea..._term=calibration+sticker&utm_campaign=Labels

Just thinking out loud...
 
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