Quality Policy

Purpose. Sets out the quality commitment of Apex and the structure of the quality management system that supports product certification and customer confidence.

1.Commitment

Apex will manufacture products that conform to the published specification, the relevant Australian Standard and the customer order every time. Management commits to maintaining certification of the quality management system, to meeting customer and regulatory requirements and to continual improvement of processes and products.

2.Structure of the quality system

The system is documented in four levels. Level one is this policy and the quality manual. Level two is the procedures that describe how work is done. Level three is the recipes, specifications, test methods, forms and templates. Level four is the records that show what was done. All controlled documents carry a document code, version and approval date and are listed in the document register.

• Level one: policy and quality manual
• Level two: procedures
• Level three: recipes, specifications, test methods, forms and templates
• Level four: batch records, test records and registers

3.Product release

No batch will be released for dispatch until the laboratory has tested it against the specification and recorded a pass in the quality test register. Batches that fail must be placed on hold, labelled and recorded as a nonconformance. Only the Quality and Laboratory Manager or a delegate named in the authorisation list will approve a concession or a rework.

4.Traceability

Every bag, bulk bag and precast element will carry a batch number that links to the batch record, the raw material lots used and the test results. Raw material deliveries must be recorded with the supplier lot number at receipt. Records must be kept for the retention period stated in the records procedure.

5.Responsibilities

The Quality and Laboratory Manager maintains the system, schedules internal audits and reports on performance at management review. Production managers must ensure staff are trained and authorised for the tasks they perform. Every worker must complete records fully and truthfully at the time the work is done and must report any deviation on the day it occurs.

6.Quality objectives

Objectives are set annually at management review and monitored monthly. Current objectives cover right first time batch rate, release within 24 hours, dimensional conformance of precast elements, complaint closure time and pack weight compliance. Department managers must report performance against each objective at the monthly review.