I remember the time I was writing an audit report on internal audit. I was not sure how to count the number of nonconformities. I'd like to pose some questions to satisfy my curiosity. Can anyone give me an objective method of reporting/counting audit findings? For example,
1) The water reservoir tank was not secured from access of unauthorized personnel as this was not locked and located near workers canteen.
2) The inside surface of the water reservoir tank and its cover had corroded portions.
3) There was no documented cleaning procedure and records to show that water reservoir tank was regularly cleaned.
4) The water source, deep well, was located within 10feet from the septic tank of the worker’s toilets. The water supply passed filtration, carbonation and softening but there was no record to ensure the safety of water supply.
5) The water distribution pipelines and/or water hoses were not properly maintained as indicated below:
a) Adhering slimy black dirt and corroded portions on outside surface of water pipelines at processing and CIP Rooms.
b) Adhering slimy black dirt on the outside and end portions of the inside surface of the water hoses at Processing Room.
c) End portion of water hoses touched the floor.
Some of my questions –
As an auditor, are you going to count the above deviations as 5 separate nonconformities, or the 5 deviations could be counted as 1 nonconformity? (note: all deviations are related to Safety of Water and/or Ice Supply)
Is it up to the auditor if 1 to 5 would be one, two, or three nonconformities?
What is the logic of combining any or all of them?
Edited by mind over matter, 11 July 2011 - 11:09 AM.