Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Procedure
The company has released a mobile app update - available on your iPad; which has included the ability of the lead mechanic to self-upgrade to inspection and complete RII (Required Inspection Item) inspections. This ability appears to be in direct violation of both FAR's and the company policy as written in [the] Maintenance Procedure Manual. The ability to self-assign by leads of them self is directly in violation of the reporting policy in this [Company Maintenance Procedure Manual] as well as page [X] leading and direction prohibition. I have emailed the Chief Inspector and QC Management with my concerns and am sure it will be reviewed. As this was released and leads could follow this path I feel urgent action is needed. This may well be the path the company wishes to go but I have to raise the concern for safety of our passengers and crews as well as our aircraft. Also at issue is a failure of compliance with FAR's and company policy. I recognize this may just be an overreach by a programmer.
Talked with reporter and he said that the policy change did not come with any justification or explanation supporting the ability to allow a Lead Mechanic to inspect the work that he directs since that is the sole purview of the Inspection department which is separate from Maintenance.
Air carrier Maintenance person reported that new air carrier company policy has just been issued allowing Lead Mechanics to upgrade themselves to Inspector to complete RII (Required Inspection Item) inspections.  This is in direct contradiction of the policy of keeping Inspection an independent function separate from Maintenance to allow proper check and balance.