OWML: QA/QC

Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual: Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory

GENERAL LABORATORY QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY- CONTROL PRACTICES

Training
The Laboratory Manager and Laboratory Coordinator are responsible for ensuring that laboratory employees receive proper training in analytical methods and laboratory procedures and for documenting any training received. In particular, laboratory employees will be trained in sterile technique before handling samples for microbiological analysis. A new employee will receive orientation and skills training. New or established employees may receive training on new methods given by the method developer. The Laboratory Coordinator will maintain training records for microbiological methods on file by employee; this includes on-the-job training as certification of proficiency in microbiology.

The Laboratory Coordinator, Chemical Hygiene Officer, and Water Center Safety Officer provide safety orientation to new employees and safety education to all employees. The employee orientation covers general safety issues, emergency procedures, standard-safety operations, the chemical-hygiene plan, hazardous-waste management, waste disposal, and location of safety equipment.