Radiation Physics Division Quality Management System Guide RPD-G-08

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Version: 2.11 Page 1 of 3 Approval: JMA Effective Date: 11/15/2021 

Purpose

The purpose of this Guide is to define the steps necessary in carrying out 

corrective actions when nonconforming work or departures from the policies and 

procedures in the quality management system have been identified.

Scope

The Guide covers only those corrective actions directly associated with or 

influencing calibration and testing services.

Definitions

N/A

Equipment

N/A

Health & Safety Precautions

N/A

Protocol

1. The responsible party shall investigate to determine the root cause of the 

problem, complete the first and second section of the Corrective Action Plan 

and identify nonconforming work on the form in Appendix RPD-G-08. 

NOTE: Depending on the nature of the problem, the investigation may be 

delegated to any staff member. The Group Leader and/or the Quality 

Manager may be required to conduct the investigation.

2. Corrective actions appropriate to the root cause and designed to eliminate the 

problem and prevent recurrence shall be selected. This action shall be 

recorded in the third section of the Corrective Action Plan.

3. The Group Leader shall review and sign acceptance of the Corrective Action 

Plan.

4. The responsible party shall notify any affected organization(s). Guide RPDG-12 shall be applied to this action.

5. The responsible party shall document (in the appropriate laboratory records) 

and implement any required changes resulting from corrective action 

investigations.
Radiation Physics Division Quality Management System Guide RPD-G-08

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Version: 2.11 Page 2 of 3 Approval: JMA Effective Date: 11/15/2021 

6. Upon completion of the corrective action, the results shall be monitored to 

ensure that the desired effect has occurred. This monitoring shall be 

appropriate to the nature of the corrective action. The Guide RPD-G-09, on 

preventive actions and the associated form can be used to identify a 

monitoring plan for the corrective action.

NOTE: In the case of calibration or equipment nonconformance, a 

calibration of a secondary standard shall take place to ensure that corrections 

have indeed been made.

7. When the nonconformance is of such magnitude that doubt is cast on the 

laboratory’s compliance with its own policies and procedures or on its 

compliance with the NIST Quality Management System, the appropriate 

areas of activity shall be audited in accordance with Guide RPD-G-10.

Acceptance Criteria

Once it has been demonstrated that quality has been restored to the calibration 

services (through an appropriate comparison) regular calibration and testing 

services may resume.

If the corrective action requires a change in procedure, that change shall be 

implemented prior to resumption of the calibration service to which it applies.

After it is determined that the corrective action has succeeded, the investigator, 

the Group Leader, the Quality Manager, and the Division Chief shall 

acknowledge by signing the Corrective Action Plan form.

References

N/A

Documentation

RPD Corrective action plan

Logbooks

Filing and Retention

The Quality Manager files the original Corrective Action Plan in the Corrective 

Action Plan folder. Copies may be made as needed.

Logbooks are kept in the calibration facilities and are kept indefinitely.
Radiation Physics Division Quality Management System Guide RPD-G-08

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Version: 2.11 Page 3 of 3 Approval: JMA Effective Date: 11/15/2021 

Appendix RPD-G-08

This form is found as a Word document at: https://www.nist.gov/pml/radiation-physics/quality-systemservices/radiation-physics-division-quality-system-guide-forms

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

SOURCE OF DETERMINATION OF NEED FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION: 

________________________________________________________________________

ROOT CAUSE OF PROBLEM DATE _______________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Investigator ____________________________________________________________

CORRECTIVE ACTION 

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Group Leader Approval __________________________________________________

MONITORED RESULTS

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

PROBLEM IS RECTIFIED

Investigator ________________________________ Date __________________

Group Leader ______________________________ Date __________________

Quality Manager ____________________________ Date __________________

Division Chief _____________________________ Date __________________