i am looking for preparing a weighing instrument calibration lab (scales calibration), i established a quality manual and procedures manual, and i have external auditor for our lab accreditation, the auditor told me to start implement the procedures for the lab, but really i don't have enough experience to implement the quality management system, so can anyone help me in case studies about laboratory accreditation, and what is the main difficulties in the implementation of quality management systems. what is the thing need more focus in this case?
thank you for any advices,
regards
Firas
Hello, Firas! Thank you for visiting the Cove!
Along with Jennifer's excellent questions, I have a few also:
1. What is your role in this organization?
2. Is this a new facility, or existing?
3. Where did your procedures come from, and who wrote them? Asking this to see if these are tried and true procedures, brand new ones, or procedures that need to be ironed out.
As far as implementing the quality program, the system should implement itself, so to speak. The technicians should already be referring to the procedures, documenting work on the forms, have uncertainty budgets, etc. The procedures should make sense, and the technicians can follow them. If there are issues with the procedures, go ahead and revise them. I'm saying this: Before the auditor views the operation, it should be fairly obvious from a business perspective that you are running a good operation. NOTE: I am not suggesting the audit will be a breeze, and you may have some gaps and needed improvements noted. I'm just suggesting that one does not need a mechanic to determine there is no engine in a car!
Is everyone already trained? Have you started performing work?
What about your customers? Have they come in and made suggestions already?
I look forward to hearing your progress on this. I just hope that you have a team committed to quality. If that is the case, your workload should be a lot lighter.
As the others made mention, there are a lot of extremely valuable threads here on different subjects. You might want to spend some time in the ISO 17025 forum, looking at all the different topics. Then, when something comes to mind that interest you, it can be dealt with.
Again, look forward to hearing from you.