College of Production Technology

Quality in the Workplace NQF 4

Quality in the Workplace NQF 4

The Quality in the Workplace NQF 4 skills programme equips supervisors and production personnel with the knowledge and practical tools required to monitor and control quality in manufacturing and engineering environments. Aligned to Unit Standard 14586 and MERSETA approval requirements, the programme focuses on quality assurance principles, process control techniques, inspection methods, and the interpretation of control charts. It enables learners to implement quality management practices, support ISO-aligned systems, and maintain consistent product and process standards across operations.

Name of Module

Quality in the Workplace

(8 Credits)

Unit Standards covered

14586 – Monitor and control quality control practices in a manufacturing / engineering environment (8)

NQF Level

4

Duration

5 Days

Approval Number

MERSETA / SP 0135/07-17

 

 

Contents of the Workbook

QUALITY ASSURANCE: A CHALLENGE TO MANAGEMENT

Quality assurance objective

Quality: the meaning of quality

The main parameters of quality

Quality of design

Quality of conformance to design

Quality of service

Economics of design

Quality costs measurement and analysis

Company-wide quality

Quality control activities

Top management’s role

Middle management’s role

The operator’s role

Quality management system (ISO 9001:2000)

QUALITY SYSTEMS FLOW CHARTING

The flowchart diagram

Definition of a flowchart

Basics of a flowchart diagram

Flowchart symbols

How to construct a flowchart diagram

QUALITY AUDITING

The quality audit procedure

PROCESS CONTROL TECHNIQUES – CONTROL CHARTS

Why process control?

What is involved?

What do I measure?

Types of data

CONTROL CHARTS

What is a control chart?

Different types of charts

Selecting a variables chart

Control charts for variable data

CONTROL CHARTS FOR ATTRIBUTES DATA.

Why look at attribute data?

Defects and defectives

Selecting an attribute chart

Recording the data

 

CONTROL CHARTS FOR COUNTABLE DATA

C CHART (DEFECTS PER SAMPLE OR SUBGROUP)

Recording the data

HOW TO INTERPRET CONTROL CHARTS

Theoretical background to control chart interpretation

Characteristics of a natural pattern

Characteristics of an unnatural pattern

Basic interpretation of control charts

Interpretation of the r chart and s chart

Some causes affecting the r chart

Interpretation of the Bar X chart

Some causes affecting the Bar X chart

Interpretation of x charts (charts for individuals)

INTERPRETATION OF p CHARTS AND OTHER ATTRIBUTE CHARTS

TESTS FOR UNNATURAL PATTERNS

Zone tests

Tests for instability

Interpretation of the x’s

Common mistakes to be avoided when interpreting control charts

INSPECTION AND SAMPLING

Selecting items

100% inspection

Sampling inspection

Ad-hoc sampling

Types of sampling inspection

Attribute or variables

Lot-by lot inspection

Internal or external inspection

Unit of product

Classification of defects and defectives

Acceptable quality level (AQL)

Submission of product

Drawing of samples

Acceptance and rejection

Control of non-conforming products

USING AND CARING FOR BASIC MEASURING INSTRUMENTATION

Callipers

Micrometers

Verniers