Inspection Station Audit Checklist (Free)

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9 critical items still open - these are the highest-risk gaps.

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Instruments and gauges

Every gauge at the station has a unique ID and calibration labelCRITICALNo gauge is past its calibration due dateCRITICALGauge resolution is suitable for the tolerance being checkedGauges are clean, undamaged and stored in protective casesMaster or setting standards are available and in dateCRITICALOut of tolerance finds are reported and past results reviewedMeasurement method for each characteristic is definedGage R&R or measurement system analysis exists for key characteristics

Documents and records

Current drawing revision is available at the stationCRITICALInspection instruction or plan is current and controlledCRITICALSampling plan and accept numbers are posted or on the planInspection results are recorded at the time of inspectionRecords show inspector identity and dateCRITICALObsolete documents are removed from the areaCertificates and test reports are checked against the orderInspector training or authorization records are available

Environment and set up

Lighting suits the visual inspection taskSurface plate or bench is clean, level and free of damageTemperature is suitable for precision measurementLimit samples or boundary photos are available for visual defectsTools, magnifiers and fixtures are in place and labeledESD controls are in place where static sensitive items are handledThe area is clean and organised, with no food or drink

Material control

Material awaiting inspection is separated and labeledCRITICALAccepted, rejected and on hold areas are clearly markedCRITICALRejected material is tagged and logged in the systemLot or batch identity is maintained throughout inspectionCRITICALSamples are drawn randomly across the lotInspected material is released in the ERP only after the usage decisionRetained samples and returned goods are controlled

Process discipline

Inspectors know how to classify critical, major and minor defectsEscalation route for disputes or borderline parts is definedNonconformances trigger a notice or report to the right ownerTrends of repeated defects are reviewed regularlyPrevious audit findings were closed with evidence

Treat any failed critical item as a stop and fix finding before the next shift. Record the evidence, owner and due date for every failed item. Re audit within 30 days to confirm closure.

Link audit findings to your ERP

Optional: we can explore how audit actions, calibration status and stock blocks could be connected in your ERP.

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How to use it

Walk the station with the checklist and tick each item only when you have seen evidence, not when someone tells you it is fine. Pull a gauge and check its label, open the current inspection record, and look at where rejected parts are placed. Mark failures with a note, an owner and a due date. Repeat monthly or as part of a layered process audit, rotating among stations and shifts.

What good looks like

A good station has calibrated and suitable gauges, a current drawing and plan, clean and clear segregation of material and records created at the time of inspection. The requirements align with ISO 9001 clause 7.1.5 on monitoring and measuring resources and the control of nonconforming outputs. Customers such as aerospace primes may add their own requirements, which you should add to the checklist.

Evidence over assertions
Calibration status visible on the gauge
Rejected material physically segregated
Results recorded, not remembered

Common mistakes

Auditing only paperwork, ignoring personal or borrowed gauges that are not in the calibration system, and letting uncontrolled printouts of drawings accumulate. Also check that ERP stock status matches the physical status, since material that is physically rejected but still available in the system is a common escape route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should an inspection station be audited?

Monthly is common for critical stations and quarterly for others. Increase frequency after a quality escape or when staff or equipment change. Rotate the day and shift to catch differences.

Does this checklist meet an AS9100 or ISO 9001 requirement?

It supports the intent of controls on measuring resources, documented information and nonconforming outputs, but it does not by itself demonstrate compliance. Align it with your own procedures and customer requirements.

What if a gauge is found out of calibration?

Remove it from use, tag it and assess the validity of earlier measurements. Review products inspected since the last good calibration and take action as your procedure requires, including customer notice where applicable.

Who should perform the audit?

Someone independent of the station's daily work, such as a quality engineer or supervisor from another area. Independence helps catch habits that insiders no longer notice.

If audit findings and calibration status sit in separate files, Netray can help connect them to ERP inspection and asset records.

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