Auditing PCB (Printed Circuit Board) Assembly Lines - Fire And Safety Systems

AndyN said:

Willy:

Often people fall into the trap of using audits of the management system like QC of the product. .... The fact that a key process control parameter is missing from the documentation (design) of the management system shouldn't be an audit finding!
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Andy,
Let's agree that we disagree.
It's not a QC of a product, if you insist using the ill-famed QC , it's a QC of the manufacturing process. That's exactly why processes are part of the QMS audit. Definitely a QMS deficiency -7.5.1 not implemented.
If there was a proper process control document (re. could be a flow chart or signs on the wall at each process step , or whatever..) and it was only that operator who erred regarding the paste warn up time...I wouldn't write it up either, just make a comment that operators needed a refresh on the process.

Welcome aboard! Conducting audits in a manufacturing setting, especially in an ISO 9001:2000 approved company manufacturing fire and safety systems, is crucial for ensuring compliance and maintaining safety standards.

Considering the complexity of your manufacturing process involving multiple lines and cells, here's a suggestion on how to construct your audit schedule:

1. Identify Critical Areas: Start by identifying critical areas related to fire safety across your manufacturing process. This includes fire hazards associated with PCB population, assembly, and final integration into cases.
2. Risk Assessment: Prioritize areas based on their risk level. Cells involved in PCB population might have different risk profiles compared to final assembly cells. Focus your initial audits on high-risk areas.
3. Sampling Approach: Given the number of cells (20 in your case), auditing each cell individually might be resource-intensive. Instead, consider a sampling approach. Select representative cells from each manufacturing line based on factors like production volume, complexity, and historical incident data.
4. Comprehensive Coverage: Ensure that your audit schedule covers all critical aspects of fire safety, including adherence to safety protocols during PCB population, proper storage of flammable materials, maintenance of fire suppression systems, and emergency response readiness.
5. Regular Review: Fire safety audits should be conducted at regular intervals to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement. Schedule periodic audits based on the risk level of each cell and adjust your schedule as needed based on audit findings and evolving risk factors.
6. Documentation and Reporting: Document audit findings, including observations, non-conformities, and corrective actions taken. Provide comprehensive reports to management highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.

Remember, the goal of fire safety audit is not just to meet regulatory requirements but to proactively identify and mitigate fire risks to protect employees, assets, and the reputation of the company. By approaching audits strategically and focusing on critical areas, you'll contribute to a safer work environment and uphold the company's commitment to quality and safety.

This is a very old thread. From 2008. I am locking the thread. If there are new questions on this topic start a new thread that will be current with today’s environment.