The Islamic University of Gaza- Environmental Engineering Department
Environmental Measurements (EENV 4244)
Lecture 8. Quality Assurance/Quality Control
Prepared by
Husam Al-Najar
Introduction
The policy document identifies environmental quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
policies and procedures that have to be adopted and be followed by water and wastewater
analysis laboratories to carry out sampling and compliance testing
Laboratories must follow the policies and procedures set out document and they must ensure
that they comply with all policies in this document in this
Purpose of Policy Document
It is aimed to guarantee that the highest standards are maintained within the laboratories that
they are employing. The purpose of this document is therefore to clearly define the policies
that the laboratories must adopt
Requirements: All laboratories wishing to become certified must adopt all policies that are
set out in this document and which cover the following areas:
Laboratory Organization
Personnel
Quality Systems
Laboratory Organization: The laboratory should be a legal entity organized in a manner
which permits the performance of all required functions in a satisfactory fashion
Personnel – Qualifications, Experience and Responsibilities
The laboratory is to have personnel with the necessary education, training and technical
knowledge and experience for the tasks that are assigned to them
Laboratory Director
Analyst/instrument operator
Technician
Training
The laboratories shall continually improve the technical capabilities and quality management.
Laboratory staff shall, where necessary attend QA/QC training appropriate to their position
and detailed training records shall be kept for each member of staff. The director shall be
responsible for providing staff training and shall develop a training plan to satisfy the
continued development of the laboratory
Quality Systems
Each laboratory shall have a clearly defined policy (including a policy statement) in place
which sets out clearly the laboratories commitment to meeting the requirements placed upon
them for QA/QC procedures
Quality Assurance Plan
Each laboratory is to prepare a written description of its QA activities in a Quality Assurance
Plan. This is to be a separate text from other documents that the laboratory needs to prepare.
However, documentation for many of the listed QA plan items may be made by reference to
the appropriate sections of the corresponding documents, such as the laboratory’s Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs), or other literature. The QA plan must be updated regularly and
as appropriate.
All staff must be familiar with the QA plan and it must be available for, and submitted to
auditors as and when requested.
The QA plan is to contain the following
1- Laboratory organization and responsibility.
2- Process used to identify Data Quality Objectives.
3- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with dates of last revision
4- Field sampling procedures
5- Laboratory sample handling procedures
6- Calibration procedures
7- Data reduction, validation, reporting and verification
8- Type of quality control checks and the frequency of their use
9- List schedules of internal and external system and data quality audits and inter laboratory
comparisons
10- Preventative maintenance procedures and schedules
11- Corrective action contingencies
12- Record keeping procedures
13- Laboratory safety procedures
14- Environmental conditions
15- Housekeeping Procedures
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Each laboratory is to name and list all methods used for analysis, sample collection, sample
preservation and holding times selected from an authorative source. An authorative source is
any method that is internationally recognized and must be clearly documented by the
laboratory. All SOPs must be dated and recorded in a systematic manner (such as in
laboratory manuals), that are easily available for all staff.
The following list identifies the details which should be included in the laboratory’s SOP
document:
Selection of certified (Standard) Methods for Analysis
- The method must be appropriate for the analyte and sample matrix;
-The method is the analytical method that has been recommended by authoritative sources;
-The most up to date version of the methods is recommended for use by the laboratory;
Methods for Sample Collection
Sample collection methods to be followed shall be those recommended In the standard
methods
Methods for Sample Preservation and Holding Times
Laboratories are to follow preservation procedures and holding times specified in the standard
methods
Defined Detection Limits for each Method
Detection limits shall be identified by the laboratory staff according to the standard methods.
Calibration
This is to include the type and frequency, source and standards, data comparability and
instrument tuning
Defined precision and accuracy for each parameter
Precision and accuracy is to be achieved using control charts, laboratory fortified blanks, and
matrix duplicates.
Other QC Checks
This may include such checks as performance check samples, internal and surrogate
standards or matrix spikes and replicates
Document Control
The laboratories are to have strict procedures for records and data reporting for all activities.
These are identified below
Sampling Record Contents
Chain (transfer) of custody
Analytical Records
Storage of Records
Archiving
Access to Records, updating and invalidation
Obsolete Records
Records of Corrective action and follow up actions
Equipment
Laboratories must have instruments and equipment that are necessary for performing the
methods that have been approved. These will be dependent on the tests which the specific
laboratories are being commissioned to Lists of equipment and operation and use instructions
are to be documented in a systematic manner. Where equipment is replaced or updated, data
of decommissioned equipment should be archived
Equipment Maintenance
All equipment that is used for sampling and analysis must be listed and must be routinely
calibrated, inspected and maintained to ensure their accuracy. This is to be carried out
according to manufactures procedures and schedules. The laboratory is to ensure that
records of routine equipment calibrations, maintenance activities and inspections are kept up
to date and accurate. (These need to be done according to manufacturers specifications
which must be reported/specified by the laboratory)
Measurements – standards and calibration of equipment
Standards and calibrations must follow those prescribed for use by the equipment
manufacturers or in the standard method followed. These must be recorded in the
laboratory’s Quality Assurance Plan. Calibration certificates are to be recorded.
Complaints and Appeals Procedure
The laboratory is required to have a mechanism in place to deal with technical questions,
appeals, complaints and challenges. Records shall be maintained of all complaints and of the
investigations and corrective actions taken by the laboratory.
Notification of Nonconformance
The laboratories shall notify directly within 24 hours of approving test results that are in
violation with any specified water quality standard with which it is expected to meet or which
show a change to water quality trends that have been routinely recorded. All notification is
to be done in writing.
Purchasing Services and Supplies
The laboratory shall have a policy and procedure for the selection and purchasing of
services and supplies it uses that affect the quality of the environmental tests and/or
calibrations
Environmental Conditions
Laboratories must have adequate heating, cooling and humidity control systems and all
spaces must have sufficient lighting, ventilation (e.g. exhaust hoods, fume labs, etc where
required) in addition to adequate and convenient electrical and water supplies.
Safety Procedures, Equipment and Training
Laboratories are to have a comprehensive safety plan/procedures document that is well known
and followed by all employees. Safety training must be included in the initial induction of new
staff members and ongoing refresher training sessions should be provided on an annual basis
to all staff
Housekeeping Procedures
Laboratories must have a good housekeeping programme in place and must keep cleaning
materials stored accurately and easily accessible. Appropriate cleaning materials must be
procured at all times
Auditing
Internal Auditing
All laboratories shall implement an internal audit procedure to cover all aspects of the
QA/QC procedures set out in its document.
Interlab Proficiency Testing
Laboratories will be required to participate in any interlab proficiency evaluation scheme,
at least annually