|
Back To Overview
OUR QUALITY SYSTEM
We place great value on achieving our mission, and, as a
first principle, operating personally and professionally under
the umbrella of basic values we have in common. We have developed
and have in place a Quality System to help guide us.
TDI-Brooks International, Inc.- B&B Laboratories holds certificate number 45083 and operates a Quality Management System which complies with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 for the following scope:
The Analysis of Geochemical, Geotechnical and Environmental Samples |
 |
This certification validates that all our processes are fully established, functional and meet international standards. We strive to not only meet, but also exceed our customer’s expectations with respect to data quality, documentation, and timeliness. Our management complies with this quality policy by putting quality first in all of our operations. We focus on being one of the best trace organic laboratories in the nation through performance based, blind test exercises conducted by US federal agencies. Our surface geochemical exploration (SGE) and geotechnical laboratories service the international geochemical and geotechnical coring operations of our parent company, TDI-Brooks International, Inc. TDI-Brooks requires timely, accurate and consistent data from our geochemical and geotechnical laboratories. Our team is our greatest asset. We encourage them to accept ownership and responsibility of their work as we promote employee advancement through training and education. We are committed to continual improvement, and we will correct and prevent deficiencies related to data quality. We value working safely and in an environmentally responsible manner.
This Quality System includes tools and elements such as our
Quality Management
Plan (QMP), Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) for
our various projects, a set of Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) that detail our analytical
process, sets of Minimum
Detection Limit (MDL) data that address our ability to
analyze samples for trace quantities of analytes, Control
Charts for monitoring of precision and accuracy, safety and
training documents, records, and requirements, a network of
logs, a Data Management System, an organizational structure,
experience requirements, audits, and other support elements.
Our Quality System is a structured and documented management
system describing our values, objectives, policies, organizational
authority, responsibilities, accountability, and implementation
plan for ensuring high quality in our analytical services
and scientific interpretations. The objective of our Quality
System is to provide an effective process for management's
review and oversight during planning, implementing, and assessment
of our environmental and geochemical programs. This process
is important for providing guidance to management toward mission-focus
and for providing tools for quantifying the practice of our
common values.
Our QMP is management's statement of the process governing
the QA/QC activities and protocols. It describes how our company
will conduct its business in terms of the standard elements
of the Quality System we have implemented. These elements
include our common values, our policies and their implementation,
our organizational structure, the functional responsibilities
of our management and staff, our lines of authority, and the
required teaming for those who plan, implement, and assess
our activities. Adherence to these standards ensures that
the data are of the appropriate type and quality for their
intended programmatic use. These standards also provide the
framework and criteria used to create detailed, project-specific
QAPPs when needed for each new program, based on the fundamentals
of assuring quality. We also provide our QMP as an integral
part of any proposal that requires demonstration of an effective
Quality System in place. This document adds another level
of confidence that the activities we perform meet the established
project requirements. It is updated occasionally as needed
with an incrementing revision number.
Within these bounds, each such project-specific plan is tailored
to its particular need and maintained to respond effectively
to diverse analytical programs. A detailed QAPP for the project,
that meets USEPA and Good Laboratory Practice guidelines for
such documents, is included as a part of every proposal. The
QAPP supported by the SOPs and Control Charts will comprise
our QA Plan to meet the quality objectives of completeness,
accuracy, and precision for the analytes of this program.
Methods of analyte identification and confirmation are also
addressed. The QAPP also lists and discusses issues such as
any co-elutions or interferences for the program. Our QAPP
meets or exceeds all the QA batch requirements required by
USEPA, NOAA, and the USFWS, including analysis of calibration
checks, frequency, determination of MDL, reagent blanks, and
measures of accuracy and precision (such as laboratory duplicates,
matrix spikes and control charts). It includes our plan to
measure our Limits of Detection (Minimum Detection Limits,
or MDLs) annually. It also addresses our plan for the production
of Control Charts for ensuring the standards of precision
and accuracy required by the client.
|
