Christel | Passionate About SHEQ Management

Integrating Quality Management Into Shopfloor Procedures

• March 16th, 2009

ISO9001:2008 is all about Quality Management. In order to have a successfully implemented Quality Management System (ISO9001: 2008) a team effort is needed.

This means that everybody in the organization has to form part of a process of applying Quality Management principles in their working environments. Often the Quality Management system starts with management (Policy Statement) and ends with management (Management Review) with the employee being left in the dark in terms of what to do, what to expect and how does it add value for him/her?

The successful integration of an effective performance measurement system across an organization’s operations ensures growth.

Procedures and mapping (a flow-chart) are examples of performance measures that can be implemented by the shop floor employee. Mapping what employees are actually doing and asking questions such as: “Why are you doing that?” and “How does it increase quality?” helps the employee to look at continually improving his/her performance.

Let us have a look at a very basic example (procedure) that every employee interacts with - making coffee.

Step 1: Put water in kettle & switch on.

Integrate Quality check or step: No residue at bottom of kettle; use filtered water; ensure electric cord of kettle is not damaged; ensure socket at wall is safe

Step 2: Select mug to drink coffee from & spoon to stir.

Integrate Quality check or step: Make sure mug is not cracked or chipped; ensure it was cleaned properly - no lipstick residue; ensure spoon has been cleaned properly.

Step 3: Choose coffee brand, sugar and milk options & put into mug.

Integrate Quality check or step: Has the ingredients expired?; Is the milk sour; Do you prefer a more pure coffee brand than what is available?; Brown sugar instead of white sugar or maybe diet sugar.

Step 4: Pour water into mug.

Insert Quality check or step: Make sure the water has boiled; Make sure that the kettle has been switched off; Make sure that you do not spill boiling water on your hands or body; Fill cup only ¾ and not up to the top (safety).

Step 5: Stir & enjoy your cup of coffee.

Insert Quality check or step: Stir cautiously to avoid spilling hot coffee; tongue-test first to determine whether the coffee might be too hot to drink; Take reasonable sips to ensure that you do not choke during the drinking process.

This is a very basic example of how you can integrate Quality Management with your shop floor procedures.

Quality is part of your day-to-day activities. It is already a way of life. Make it part of your working environment as well by ALWAYS looking at improvement opportunities. It is not for the company’s sake only but involves your work output and work life as well!

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2 Responses to “Integrating Quality Management Into Shopfloor Procedures”

1. Halo Christel Says:
   May 7th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

   Hallo Christel

   I was wondering if you have published anything on Safety Specifications? If not, would please consider this?

   The safety spec plays a big role and sets the standards for safety files and it also states what the principal contractor will expect from the sub-contracting companies.

   I was wondering what one should keep in mind when drawing up a safety spec.

   Your site is very motivating and ever so informative.

   Thank you for giving us the oppertunity to interact and learn with and from other professionals.

   Kind regards,

   Anton van ZIjl

2. christel Says:
   May 11th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

   Hi Anton
   Thank you for the positive feedback and for giving me ideas on what to publish next. Please keep your eyes on this site and I will try my best to include safety specifications in future articles. Regards Christel.

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