A materials inspector ensures materials meet industry, company or government standards, using tools and senses to inspect products. They work in teams to find and resolve defects, investigate failures, and may testify in court.
A materials inspector is responsible for materials coming in and out of an organization’s inventory and for inspecting the materials used to manufacture items in various types of industries. Some companies may also refer to this position as a quality control inspector. This is important work because material inspectors ensure that the food they inspect doesn’t make people sick, that the automotive components they inspect last for years, and that the steel used in the aircraft structures they inspect is the best available. Depending on the industry, some inspectors use some type of handheld tool, mechanical or electronic monitoring device in their work. Other responsibilities include maintaining and ensuring compliance with contract specifications, complying with government and industry regulatory agencies, and conducting investigations.
Due to the emphasis on producing quality products, a materials inspector may work as part of a team of inspectors. This team does not just look for defects, but is responsible for finding the root cause of those defects and ensuring that the problem is resolved. In companies that use machines to automatically find and even repair defects, the materials inspector may have the responsibility of monitoring equipment, reviewing production, and performing random inspections on products or materials.
A material inspector also ensures that all inspected materials meet a certain standard. These standards can be set by the specific industry, by the company or by a government agency. For example, in the production of certain electronic components, a pre-specified maximum electrical voltage level may be defined. The inspector can use a device to test a component by running an electrical current through it. Material inspectors use sight, sound, feel, smell and taste to ensure that certain specific materials are up to standard.
Conducting investigations to find root causes of product failure, defects, or nonconformance is an important function of the material inspector’s position. If an inspector finds that a product or the materials used to manufacture or manufacture that product are defective or do not meet the required standard, an investigation may be required. Reviewing reports, records, computer data and other documents to establish facts or detect problems may also form part of this work. In certain cases, the inspector needs to gather and evaluate certain evidence. A materials inspector may also work with law enforcement or testify in court or administrative proceedings.
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