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QP08 – Control of equipment

Section / Release/Amendment Summary / Issue / Date
All / Initial issue / 1.0 / dd/mm/yy

Approved:

Management Representative

Note: Within this manual template, red italic text should be replaced by MRF specific information and any guidance in ‘text boxes’ should be implemented.

1  Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to provide appropriate methods relating to the control of monitoring and measuring devices and associated MRF equipment.

The procedure ensures that all monitoring and measuring equipment is identified, registered and maintained so that monitoring and measuring can be carried out in a manner consistent with inspection and test requirements.

The procedure also ensures that records of calibration and verification are maintained and that appropriate actions are taken if equipment is found to be out of calibration.

2  Scope

This procedure contains the following sections:

4.1 Control of monitoring and measuring devices

4.2 Equipment maintenance

5 Related documents

3 Definitions and glossary

ECR - Equipment Calibration Register

MR - Management Representative

OM - Operations Manager

VOSA - Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

PAT - Portable Appliance Testing

4 Procedure

The Operations Manager (OM) is responsible for the overall implementation of this procedure. It is the responsibility of the Management Representative (MR) to ensure the implementation of this procedure and the maintenance of appropriate records. Records are maintained in accordance with QP02 Control of Records.

4.1 Control of monitoring and measuring devices

All items of inspection, measuring and test equipment are passed to the OM for inclusion in the Equipment Calibration Register as required.

All items of inspection, measuring and test equipment are permanently marked with a unique reference number. Monitoring and measuring equipment used within the manufacturing processes but not requiring calibration are labelled as such.

Calibration certificates are obtained for new measuring equipment and equipment calibrated or serviced by approved suppliers or sub-contractors. The certificates are filed by the OM. Where appropriate, the calibration of equipment is traceable to National and International Standards. Monitoring equipment that is calibrated in house will be recorded as such on the ECR.

The frequency of calibration is determined from the rate of usage of equipment and its required accuracy. Calibration records are evaluated periodically to ascertain the adequacy of calibration frequencies presently in use.

Equipment that falls due for calibration is identified from the ECR and calibration carried out.

The results of the calibration are recorded on the ECR and, where possible, a calibration status indicator is attached to the calibrated equipment.

Equipment which, based on defined parameters, fails calibration is either repaired and re-calibrated or replaced. If equipment is replaced, a new equipment reference number is issued and added to the ECR.

Where equipment is found to be out of calibration, the results of previous inspections and tests are assessed, documented and where necessary appropriate action taken. The ECR is also used to record any maintenance activity that may have an effect on service delivery.

All equipment is stored, handled and used with care. All damaged or suspect monitoring or measuring equipment is promptly passed on to the OM for review / re-calibration. Obsolete or unserviceable equipment as identified from equipment records is scrapped.


4.2 Equipment maintenance

General maintenance requirements are fulfilled either by in-house resource or by approved/preferred suppliers as identified on the Approved Suppliers List. This activity includes general infrastructure maintenance as well as unplanned office maintenance.

Manufacturer’s guidance and legislative requirements are observed and maintenance schedules determined for plant and equipment.

Maintenance schedule managed through identification of current status for each significant piece of equipment and a full description of work done and outstanding work is maintained.

Vehicle maintenance is carried out in accordance with VOSA requirements.

All electrical equipment is PAT tested for safety and the test recorded on the ECR.

5 Related documents

·  Approved suppliers list.

·  QP02 control of records.

·  Equipment calibration register.

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QP08 Control of Equipment