When informed of their upcoming validations, many locations have questions about the length of the audit and about how the process might disrupt their work schedules.
The length of the validation depends on three main factors:
- the number of people who install auto glass at the location;
- whether the installations are mobile or take place at the location; and
- whether delays are encountered during the installations.
A typical AGRSS validation includes a short opening meeting for introductions and scheduling, the observation and interview of each person who installs auto glass, a review of historical records, a review of the material storage area, some time for the AGRSS validator to complete his/her paperwork and a short closing meeting. Since the AGRSS validation process requires one windshield installation for each person who installs auto glass, this step takes the most time. In general, a validation takes about one hour plus the time it takes to interview and observe each technician install a windshield.
For a one-person location with no travel time or other delays, the entire validation may be completed in two hours. For a four-person location, with a 15-minute travel time between each windshield installation, the validation normally will take more than six hours. If there are delays due to customers or corrosion, the validation will take longer. However, since the validator is only observing and interviewing one person at a time, the location’s other employees may go about their regular duties until it is each person’s turn to be validated.
It is not necessary for the validator to witness the vehicle pre-inspection nor the removal of the old windshield. When practical, the validator will begin the validation of each technician after this has been accomplished. The validator does, however, need to see the cleaning and priming of the glass, the cleaning and priming of the pinchweld, the cutting of the old urethane, and everything that comes afterwards for each validated installation.
Lastly, there are a few issues that can prevent a validation from being completed as scheduled. Each of these issues involves the lack of something or someone required for the validation: one of the technicians, a windshield installation for each technician, or the necessary historical records. In these cases, the location may incur additional costs in order for the validation to be completed at a later date.
In summary, the validator will work with the location to make sure that the validation is as quick, efficient and causes as little disruption to the location’s business as is possible within the validator’s schedule.