Material Receipt, Inspection, Handling, Storage Retrieval and Dissuance

D O E -S T D -1071-94

3. M A T E R I AL R E C E I PT , I NS P E C T I ON , H A N D L I NG , S T O R A G E

R E T R I EV A L , A N D I SS U A N C E

3.1 D iscu ssion

The fundamental objective of an effective material receipt, inspection, handling, storage,

retrieval, and issuance process should be to ensure the integrity of parts, equipment, and

material is maintained and verifiable from the time the item is received until it is placed into

service by the owner/operator. This objective requires that appropriate controls be

established to ensure that the quality of parts and material is not degraded during

purchasing, receipt, storage, and handling. This guideline should not be limited to new

purchases of materials and equipment, but should include all materials and equipment stored

at the plant.

The plant process should clearly define responsibilities, accountabilities, and interfaces

for each functional organization supporting each step in the process. Specific controls

should be tailored to be consistent with the type, importance, and intended service of

individual items.

A material control process should include the following elements:

Appropriate requirements should be included in purchase documents on the basis of

vendor information, material specifications, standards, experience, and plant environment.

Ensure that cleaning fluids, solvents, and other chemicals are compatible with plant

systems and equipment, and that special chemical requirements such as temperature,

shelf life, hazard communications, and physical segregation are properly addressed.

Ensure that storage controls are defined prior to purchase, that quality documentation is

required for Q-list items, and that the receipt inspection process requirements are clearly

addressed.

Establish and maintain a file system (e.g., tickler file) to ensure that specific storage

instructions are accomplished, preventive maintenance tasks are completed, and

perishable items are replaced before their shelf life expires.

Program effectiveness should be monitored periodically by supervisory inspection, and

there should be appropriate tracking to correct deficiencies.

3.2 S cop e

This guideline applies to material receipt, inspection, handling, storage, retrieval, and

issuance activities involving maintenance organizations throughout.