The Development of Accreditation in the UK Paul Mudway Mudway Health, Safety & Environment
The Development of Accreditation in the UK
Paul Mudway
Mudway Health, Safety & Environment
• History
• Progression
• Problems
• Perfection?
The development of accreditationin the UK
The development of accreditationin 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
AMS (CEMs) Jun-97 Sira
Manual Stack Monitoring Feb-02Sira - 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
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
CERTIFICATION BODY(Scheme Operator)
SIRA
EXAMINATIONS
TRAINEES CERTIFIEDPERSONNEL
REGISTER OFCERTIFIED
PERSONNEL & SCOPES
INDEPENDENTEXAMINERS
EXAMININGBOARD
ADVISORY PANEL
STA & EA
SYLLABUS
EA
UKASACCREDITATION
MCERTS levels for assessment
Trainee
Level 1Technician
Level 2Team Leader
TE 1Particulate
TE 2Trace Elements
TE 3Gas Compounds
TE 4Gas - Instruments
TE 5PM10 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– 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