This photo appeared randomly on a friend’s post on Facebook. She shared it, and apparently it was just an “oh crap” post from a friend (not related to quality or specifically to manufacturing/process improvement/etc. But it really struck me!
I’ve worked with countless manufacturers pursuing certification to the International Standard, ISO9001, whose only “measuring device” really is maybe a ruler or a tape measure. And they’re always puzzled on how to apply the requirements of 7.1.5 Monitoring and Measuring Resources. 7.1.5.1 requires that there be an established method for choosing the appropriate measuring devices where needed. 7.1.5.2 takes it a step further, requiring that devices be identified, calibrated and inspected, and maintained. And that suggests a formal “calibration” program of some sort.
Some of my clients, like those producing corrugated packaging, those designing and producing commercial signage, those in commercial construction, etc usually say, “We only use tape measures. How are we supposed to have a calibration program for that? Seems like overkill.” And we typically negotiate a simple system of purchasing new tapes with NIST certificates, and we keep their documentation and put them on a simple schedule of inspection for damage and wear. This usually suffices. Bada bing bada boom.
I’ve seen broken tapes. I’ve seen damaged tapes, I’ve seen missing hooks (the hook at the end of the tape), I’ve seen tapes so worn that you couldn’t read the measurements. But, I have NEVER seen what you see in the photo above.
Has anyone encountered this before? Can you imagine how much product could be produced out of specification with something like this? What are your thoughts?
Do you think that accepting an NIST certificate from the manufacturer is enough to protect from the risk of having something like this happen in your organization?
How does your organization handle calibration of simple devices?