Transcript SRMs for particulate

The Development of
Accreditation in the UK
Paul Mudway
Mudway Health, Safety & Environment
The development of accreditation
in the UK
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History
Progression
Problems
Perfection?
The development of accreditation
in the UK
History
• Source Testing Association (STA)
formed in 1995. A few labs accredited to
ISO 17025
• STA proficiency scheme for particulate
sampling
• STA health & safety training
History (cont.)
• MCERTS for manual stack emission
monitoring introduced in 2002
• MCERTS applies to PPC part A(1)
processes regulated by Environment
Agency and some PPC part A(2)
processes
• MCERTS now specified in permits
• Most UK labs are now accredited to ISO
17025 and MCERTS
MCERTS schemes
Scheme
Implementation date
Handled by
Jun-97
Sira
Manual Stack Monitoring
Feb-02
Sira - Personnel
UKAS Organisations
CAMs
Dec-02
Sira
Automatic isokinetic
samplers
Mar-04
Sira
Chemical testing of soils
Mar-03
UKAS
Self Monitoring of Effluent
Flow
Jan-04
Sira
Water monitors
Dec-04
Sira
Portable equipment for air
emissions monitoring
Mar-05
Sira
AMS (CEMs)
MCERTS for manual stack emissions
monitoring
• Personnel competency certification by
Sira (ISO 17024)
• Stack monitoring labs accredited to ISO
17025 and the MCERTS Performance
Standard by UKAS
Overview of MCERTS scheme
UKAS
ACCREDITATION
EXAMINATIONS
ADVISORY PANEL
SYLLABUS
STA & EA
EA
CERTIFICATION BODY
(Scheme Operator)
SIRA
TRAINEES
CERTIFIED
PERSONNEL
EXAMINING
BOARD
INDEPENDENT
EXAMINERS
REGISTER OF
CERTIFIED
PERSONNEL & SCOPES
MCERTS levels for assessment
Trainee
Level 1
Technician
Level 2
Team Leader
TE 1
Particulate
TE 2
Trace Elements
TE 3
Gas Compounds
TE 4
Gas - Instruments
TE 5
PM10 sampling
Entry level (trainee)
• Apply to Sira for registration
– Identity card only, no certificate
• Undertake formal induction
– Stack emission monitoring
– Conduct of personnel working on site
– Health and safety
• Undergo supervised training
• Attend course on H&S risk assessment applicable
to stack monitoring
Assessment for Level 1 (technician)
• Experience & Training
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Minimum of 6 months at trainee level
Records of induction undertaken as trainee
Records of any additional training
Records of stack sampling work under supervision
Attendance on H&S risk assessment course
applicable to stack monitoring (mandatory)
• Examination - 2 written papers:
– Multiple choice
– Narrative
Assessment for Level 2
(team leader)
• Experience
– Must have competently performed emission monitoring
under direct supervision on at least 10 occasions at level 1
• Examination
– Interview assessment of practical skills:
• Team management
• Health & safety
• Report writing skills
• To obtain certification at level 2 candidates must also
hold at least one Technical Endorsement
MCERTS ID card
Performance standard for organisations
• Ethical requirements for independence and environmental
awareness
• Selection of appropriate methods following international standards
• Use of Agency Method Implementation Documents, when available
• Estimation of measurement uncertainty
• Use of appropriate equipment
• Planning of a measurement campaign
– Site review
– Risk assessment
– Site specific protocol
• Reporting of results
• Use of MCERTS certified personnel
Problems
• Passing the examinations!
• Keeping up with legislation and new
standards
• Cost of accreditation (UKAS, equipment
calibration, PT schemes etc.)
• Competitive market
Perfection?
• H&S improved significantly
• Quality of monitoring data improved
significantly
• Level playing field
• Better career prospects