If a weld's heat-number does not match the batch, what should the supervisor do?

• A. Immediately proceed with production
• B. Update the heat-number in the record without inspection
• C. Reclassify as acceptable without review
• D. Isolate nonconforming welds, document, evaluate, and decide disposition using NCR

Answer: (D)

When a heat-number doesn’t match the batch, you’re facing a traceability and potential quality issue. The correct approach is to contain the problem immediately: isolate and segregate the welds that are affected so they cannot be mistaken for conforming work. Then document what’s wrong and start a formal evaluation to determine the disposition of the nonconforming welds using a Nonconformance Report (NCR). This NCR process captures the deviation, identifies the affected lot, and triggers the review of whether the welds can be repaired, reworked, accepted with conditions, or must be scrapped. Only after this formal evaluation and disposition is a decision made and verified.

This sequence protects traceability, ensures any corrective actions are identified, and prevents unreliable or nonconforming welds from being used in production. Ignoring the mismatch by proceeding, changing the heat-number without inspection, or declaring the welds acceptable without review would bypass essential quality controls and could compromise safety and performance.