Handheld Metal Detector

Handheld metal detector, for broken needle fragments that are missing handheld detector will be used to scan the last bundle of work and items within a meter radius of the working place. All products must be scanned on a metal free workplace. The handheld detector is kept in the Production office.It is recommended to use a partition for metal detection or set a metal detection zone that clearly identifies metal checked and non-checked stock.

Needle procedure under the Metal Free policies

Purpose: To ensure all areas of Hop Lun BD operations, are managed through ”policies, procedures and audits with reference to “Metal Free- Tools and Sharps control. Needle procedure under the Metal Free policies

Scope: The work instruction applies to all production areas where sharps, best handheld metal detector and tools are used.

Work instruction

Materials: Colour coded Needle transfer sage box. The box will hold a pre-determined number of needles per machine type and class (catalogue type and size). The identification of the machinery type is colour coded:

RED & YELLOW = Lockstitch & Twin Needle

BLUE & WHITE   = Over lock & Cover stitch

GREEN & GREY = Button sew/Bar tack/Pattern tack

Hand tag needles

Metal NeedleDetector

  • We do not destroy recycle or sale our broken needles button hole knives old cutting blades and non-conforming goods before one year, It means we preserved all of the above things for one year.
  • Every financial year our product safety manager invite all of our honorable buyer or their representative to watch destroying / burning /recycling the broken needles, utility button hole knives, old cutting blades and non-conforming
  • They make a team who collect all broken needles, utility buttonhole knives, old cutting blades and non-conforming goods and take snaps before & after burn.
  • They make a resolution to witness for future records.

Instruction of Metal detection

Before packing all garments lot through detector, check  the calibration of the detector. If passes pack the garments.

The garment lot checked should not be moved into the  packing area, the checked lot to be kept in the HOLDING .  AREA. After hourly check completed, The metal detector  needs to be re-checked for calibration. If calibration test  passes, then send the lot for packing. If calibration check  fails, rectify the detectors problem and re-check the lot through metal detector those which are kept in the HOLDING  AREA.

Use of Metal Detectors

Providing buyer customers with safe products is the paramount concern of our company. One of the most important ways we can protect our customers is to make sure there is no contamination in our products from such items as broken needles, pins, trimming shears etc etc. Having proper procedures in any garment factories is one way we protect our goods from possible metal contamination. A second VITAL method is the use of metal detectors, and that is what this memorandum is about.

There are sometimes instances of metal contamination being found during an AQL inspection in our warehouse. Even though one piece only may be found, because metal contamination is a ‘CRITICAL’ fault, buyers have to go to 100% inspection. In our warehouse in bangladesh this means sending the 100% of the goods through our Metal Detectors. Buyers have had some cases lately where it has not been possible to put the garments through the metal detectors, because

Note: if a ferrous trim is coated to the extent that it does not trigger a metal detector, it is possible it may be allowed, but it is much safer to use non-ferrous materials even for coated articles). It is realized that there may be some cases where this non-ferrous requirement may not be possible to instigate without causing a delay to the delivery.  Therefore it is decided that

for goods already in production, and for goods where the trims are already in manufacture, we will allow suppliers to proceed without changing the accessories. However suppliers MUST inform the appropriate Tema Merchandiser or Buyer if they are making any products which contain ferrous material. There are changes being made in Buyer Operating Procedures which will detail the changes to be made, but here are some main points for all suppliers to take into account:

For all orders placed from now on, suppliers MUST make sure that no ferrous materials are used in trims and accessories such as buttons, belts, logos, studs, poppers, or similar accessories etc

The ‘detection level’ to which metal detectors should be set is 1.2mm. To allow a safety factor, Tema products must not exceed 1.0mm. Our Fabric and Trims Handbook will be modified to reflect this

Our AQL procedures will be modified to make sure part of the inspected quantity will be put through the factory’s metal detector to make sure the trims do not trigger the alarm

We will issue enhanced inspection instructions to be followed in the case of goods for which it has not been possible to use a metal detector after production

A document will be issued from our Garment Technology Directorate which will detail exactly which materials may be used instead of ferrous products For example,  aluminium may be an alternative. Our Accessories and Trims Coordinator will be contacting our accredited trims suppliers to reinforce these instructions

Policy of  Handheld Metal Detector

All garments and footwear manufactured for buyer must be metal detected. Buyer preferred method of application is a conveyor tunnel type detector, capable of detecting metal fragments to a sensitivity level of 1.2mm diameter ferrous standard

Policy of Handheld Metal Detector
Policy of Handheld Metal Detector
  • Companies which manufacture products for Tema must have metal detectors. All products in all product groups must be 100% checked with best handheld metal detector and made ready for shipment.
  • Metal detection should not be seen as an alternative to Broken Needle Policy but support it.
  • Metal detectors must be kept clean in good working condition in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and serviced regularly. Service records should be kept for inspection by Tema auditors.
  • The sensitivity level of the metal detector must be checked 3 times a day with a suitable test pack that contains a 1.2mm diameter ferrous test card. These calibrations should be recorded on a Daily Calibration Sheet that should be available for Tema auditors. It is recommended to do 9 point calibration checks to be certain about the sensivity of the machine at three height of the aperture.
  • Only the nominated personnel can adjust the machine sensitivity.
  • In the event that the best handheld metal detector is found not functioning properly, the Department Supervisor must be informed immediately and the handheld metal detector must be withdrawn from use until the relevant service company is notified and the repair is complete after a recalibration and a full function check.
  • Number of products passed through recorded daily. It is advisable to put check stickers (e.g. am or pm) onto the polybags, to identify the time period the stock was checked, in the event of failure.
  • If a product fails the test, the operator must remove and isolate it from other products on the conveyor. The Department Supervisor will investigate the product. If the contamination is found, it should be recorded in the Metal Detected Stock Sheet. If the contamination is not found, the product needs to be put into a sealed locked container labeled Contaminated Stock.
  • In order for stone fragments in stone-washed or sand-washed denim products not to mislead the detectors, detection is conducted before washing and metal accessory attachment. Manual best handheld metal detector should be used after washing in order to check any jackron labels that may have been attached after washing and the parts which may have been repaired.
Dr. Kety Hoss, Lecturer, Department of Textile Technology, University of Hong Kong