Can we conduct Metal Detector Calibration and Validation ourselves?

My facility has a very old metal detector which is discontinued with its manufacturer that no longer exists. Presently, no OEM manufacturer will come test it for calibration/validation certificate other than Thermo-Fischer who asks for way too much money for such a menial task. My question is, is this something I can do myself instead of hiring a third-party? It's not difficult and is something me and my maintenance staff can do on our own. This is to satisfy SQF requirements.

ask yourself what training your maintenance staff has to support them doing this certification? Training from manufacturer etc

What if someone chokes because this wasn't done properly?

Shell out the cash and get a new one

Shelling out cash to get a new one when there is nothing wrong with this one is a very privileged way of thinking. Not all companies, such as mine, have that cash to spare. Our test pieces work perfectly and our MD is tested every half hour and at every product change over.

We simply need it "calibrated" which just requires putting the sensitivity to its highest point until product is falsely rejected, and then dialing up and down from there. It's simple. I'm simply asking, if I need to hire a "third party" to do something I can do inhouse by my own staff who are probably more qualified and experienced than many techs from the OEM manufacturers.

ask yourself what training your maintenance staff has to support them doing this certification? Training from manufacturer etc

 

What if someone chokes because this wasn't done properly?

 

Shell out the cash and get a new one

spend the money for what you say is a menial task unless you are willing to train your staff, document that and have them take full responsibility in the calibration and documenting that as well.

it might appear a large charge, however part of that is liability insurance - e and o, etc.

i'd spend the money.

I guess I'll give you my background. I am a mechanical engineer who has previous experience working in food processing machinery and design, including metal detectors / check-weighers. I fully understand what I'm doing through my own education and experience within the industry and so does my staff; him being the maintenance tech at the plant for the last 30 years. Someone who I know can run circles around OEM techs with his knowledge.

Pieces of paper, such as certificates and what not, do not make something safer. Actual knowledge does. 

I will rephrase my question. Will I get a non-conformance if I do this myself? What should I provide the auditor? My resume along with my colleague's?

spend the money for what you say is a menial task unless you are willing to train your staff, document that and have them take full responsibility in the calibration and documenting that as well.

 

it might appear a large charge, however part of that is liability insurance - e and o, etc.

 

i'd spend the money.

i was clear in what you would need if you decided to do yourself - and the auditor will ask for this, as a former SQF Auditor i would ask for exactly what i just said.  you might have missed that in the knee response.