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Bernie Quinn, CIH |
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Rigorous Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures are in plant at AM Health and Safety, Inc. (AM H&S), to ensure the integrity and compliance of procedures used during inspection and air monitoring of industrial hygiene projects including asbestos abatement projects. The QA/QC protocol established by AM H&S followed in two main areas:
1. Laboratory QA/QC 2. Field Sampling & Inspection and Report QA/QC. Laboratory QA/QC The Laboratory QA/QC portion centers around the procedures developed and implemented by the contractual laboratories hired by AM H&S to perform appropriate analysis. AM H&S utilizes third-party laboratories that are successful participants in the NIOSH Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT) Program sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association, fully accredited by the National Institute of Standards (NIST) under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), and fully accredited by AIHA for asbestos, metals, organic vapors, environmental lead or other appropriate qualifications. The qualification information including summaries of their respective QA/QC programs can be provided upon request. The three main laboratories utilized by UEC Lab, RJ Lee Group or Schneider Labs. In addition to the laboratories in our QA/QC program, the Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) from AMH&S will review the laboratory and field blank results on a routine basis in order to identify any unusual trends. These unusual trends, will be immediately brought to the attention of the Laboratory Manager. Field Sampling for further investigation & Inspection QA/QC AM H&S has an organizational system that facilitates the consistent production of reliable sampling and project oversight inspection. Individuals are assigned responsibilities within their area of technical and managerial expertise. The duties and responsibilities of the CIH, PIH, or IH Technicians of this project are defined. Standard Operation Procedures have been developed for the critical areas associated with IH field surveys and asbestos abatement project management. These are calibration procedures, project over-sight inspection guidelines, and IH Technicians Booklet. AM H&S utilities the OSHA field manual for conducting industrial hygiene sampling as the basic guideline along with the AM H&S IH sampling guidelines prior to the start of any survey the industrial hygienist reviews the survey procedures. To ensure the integrity of samples taken, a strict chain-of-custody record is maintained on each sample. At the time of sampling, a chain-of-custody form is completed by the IH Technician and accompanied by a group of samples. The chain-of-custody form serves as a record of the samples' progress from the point of collection to the laboratory, where the sample is analyzed. The form also includes a unique Bulk Sample Identification Number, and requires the signature of the IH Technician, the laboratory staff member who accepts receipt of the sample, and any other individual who handles the samples. The chain-of-custody from remains attached to the group of samples to be analyzed. When the samples are not in anyone's direct possession, they are kept in a secure location. On arrival at the laboratory, the laboratory staff member who accepts receipt of the samples logs them in and verifies receipt on the chain-of-custody form. After sample analysis is complete, the chain-of-custody form is kept on file at the laboratory with a notation of the final disposition of each sample. It is the policy of AM H&S to maintain all air and bulk samples for a period of 30 to 45 days from the date of analysis. Specific QA/QC supervisory responsibilities of the PIH will be to review all field monitoring and inspection forms of the IH Technicians on a weekly basis. The PIH will observe the IH Technician performing field calibration of air sampling equipment and will accompany the IH Technician inside containment of work area during inspection at least weekly. In turn, the CIH will review observations of the PIH weekly. At least once a quarter, the CIH will conduct a field inspection of the work site to review the IH Technician's data and procedures. Furthermore, the CIH will review air sample results daily as well as review the laboratory and field blank results as previously stated. All reports of the PIH will be reviewed and approved by the CIH prior to issuance. |
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