(ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation)
The Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Program (IHLAP), has been accrediting labs for more than 30 years.
The Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Program is designed specifically for laboratories involved in analyzing samples to evaluate workplace exposure. Participation assists the laboratory in maintaining high quality standards.
Why participate in the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Program?
When a laboratory is accredited by AIHA, the laboratory and its clients have the assurance that the laboratory has met defined standards for performance based on examination of a variety of criteria. The AIHA IHLAP is the largest program of its kind in the world and has been in operation since 1974. When an IH laboratory is accredited by AIHA, it becomes part of an elite group of laboratories achieving and maintaining a high level of professional performance.
Who should participate in the program?
An industrial hygiene laboratory is a laboratory that analyzes samples taken in the workplace environment. Since results of these analyses are used to determine the magnitude or presence of a problem in the workplace environment, it is vital that the laboratory analyzing the samples be proficient in producing high quality data on which important health decisions will be based. Accreditation from AIHA is a mark of that capability.
What if an organization has multiple industrial hygiene laboratories?
If an organization has a number of in-house industrial hygiene laboratories based in different locations, each location will be identified as a separate entity, and each must individually comply with all accreditation requirements.
What are the criteria for accreditation?
The main program requirement areas are:
1) Personnel Qualifications
Please see the AIHA-LAP, LLC Laboratory Accreditation Policies, Module 2A, Section 2A.5.2 and Module 2B, Section 2B.3.
2) Participation in an AIHA-LAP, LLC approved Proficiency Testing program or AIHA's PAT, LLC Program
Before a laboratory enters the AIHA IH Laboratory Accreditation Program, it is required to participate in an AIHA-LAP, LLC approved Proficiency Testing program for all categories of analytes that are part of the services provided by the laboratory.
Data obtained from participation in a PT program is considered in the decision.
3) Facilities
A laboratory must have adequate space, facilities, and equipment for the services provided.
4) Quality Control & Equipment
Routine quality control procedures must be an integral part of a laboratory's procedures and functions. A quality assurance plan (a working document itemizing the day to day implementation of the laboratory's quality assurance and quality control procedures) will be evaluated.
Quality control for laboratories performing airborne asbestos analyses must comply with the quality assurance requirements of the Asbestos Standard CFR 1910.1001, Appendix A, and NIOSH 7400 Method, current revision.
5) Laboratory Records
The laboratory must maintain proper and adequate records and files. A sample numbering and tracking system, analytical data, analytical results, report format, records of analytical data, and reporting of the quality control data will be evaluated.
6) Methods of Analysis
The methods (not procedures) used by the laboratory, including a method review program, will be evaluated to determine that accepted and documented industrial hygiene laboratory methods are used, approved by the laboratory director, made available to industrial hygiene analysts, and modified with the approval of the laboratory director.
7) Site Assessments
Site assessments of laboratories are conducted by trained, experienced assesors contracted by AIHA-LAP, LLC . These assessments will generally take place once every two years, unless additional site assessments are deemed necessary by the AAB .
For more information on the IHLAP Program, contact AIHA-LAP, LLC at (703) 846-0736.
Updated: 01/06/2011