The Caltrans Independent Assurance Program ensures that sampling and testing is performed correctly through qualification of laboratories and testers.
The IA Service Request process has been developed as the request mechanism to provide laboratory accreditations and technician certifications.
The general process is as follows:. Sarah Hartz Sarah. Hartz dot. Reference samples are used to evaluate laboratory equipment and practices, tester competence, and the repeatability of the test methods. RSP provides laboratories an opportunity to compare their performance relative to the entire population of participating laboratories. IA qualification requires laboratories to enroll in the RSP.
For RSP reports and interlaboratory study reports, please email Caltrans. Program dot. Background Code of Federal Regulations CFR Title 23, Section Subpart B requires all sampling and testing to be performed by qualified laboratories and personnel for project-produced materials used in the acceptance decision. IA Service Request The IA Service Request process has been developed as the request mechanism to provide laboratory accreditations and technician certifications.
Request forms are available below. Cursory review of submitted package is performed for completeness. Request is assigned to Independent Assurance IA staff.
Assigned IA will review the submitted package and requests additional information as needed. Lee dot. Hibbard dot. For one, there are several test methods that the technician may only run once every couple of months. How long has it been since that technician read the test method?
Does the technician review the revisions for each test method as it comes out and does he adjust his testing to meet the new rules? On the other hand, yes, the technician may run the same test ten times a day every day but is he doing it by the book every time? I strongly believe that it is natural human nature to find ways to make things easier and more efficient.
Unfortunately that usually means cutting corners and skipping steps. The technician may skip a step here or there to save himself some time. Over the next few months he might end up skipping that step every time he does the test and after awhile might forget the correct way to do it, or worse yet, teach another technician the wrong way to do it.
Re-certifying your technicians is a great double check for your laboratory. It reminds your technician to reread the test method, to run through it with their lab supervisor before being tested by the state, and overall to do it right. It's insurance for you so that you know that your technicians know how to do the test method correctly and that is extremely important in having credibility with your contractors and the state.
There are two major types of certifications with Caltrans, a laboratory certification and individual technician certifications on the test methods. Information for the Caltrans IA program can be found at the Caltrans IA Program Website although as I am posting this I acknowledge that a lot of the links do not work, sorry about that, but as you'll find, that seems to be a common theme with Caltrans.
Sometimes finding the information you need is unnecessarily difficult but hopefully this blog can help lead you to the right places. The link on that website leading to the IA manual doesn't work but here is a link to the pdf file. Caltrans IA Manual. This manual is basically the bible for getting your laboratory and technicians certified by Caltrans. If you have a laboratory, whether you are already certified or not, I would recommend that you read through this as it gives you a lot of insight into what to expect from the state and how to prepare for their visit.
Also, I should note that the manual I have linked to is the version which replaced the version. Take a look at the version you've been using and make sure that you have the most up to date version. Some basic things to note with the IA program: 1. Testers have to take both a written and practical exam for test method certifications 2. Testers must take the practical exam within 3 months of the written exam 3. Lab certifications are based on the equipment required for each test method performed in the lab.
You can certify a lab in only one certification or as many others as you want 4. You must put together and submit a laboratory accreditation manual 5. Having a safe work environment is part of your lab accreditation 6. You must calibrate and submit records for your laboratory equipment on an annual basis. A sticker must be affixed to the equipment stating the last date calibrated and additional other information 7. Your lab must participate in the Caltrans Reference Sample Program RSP which is where Caltrans sends your lab a duplicated sample for one of the tests your lab performs and your lab is to test the sample and send the results to Caltrans to confirm that your lab is capable of obtaining accurate test results.
Both technician certifications and laboratory certifications expire after 1 year. You must re-certify annually if you want to maintain your certification These points do not even begin to summarize what can be found in the ninety page IA Manual so once again I would recommend reading the manual in its entirety but you get the point for now. What I would like to add to all of this is that you will most likely struggle with keeping your certifications up to date if you do not track them and stay on top of them.
Generally you will need to give your IA inspector 30 days notice of when your certifications will expire and you need to be re-certified. Yes, you read that correctly. It is YOUR responsibility to let the state know when you need an inspector and to schedule the visit. It is not their responsibility and you will find your self in a very sticky situation if you wait for them to call you.
So be sure to look to the future and schedule your inspections early so that you can be sure to keep your certifications up to date.
0コメント