Laboratory passes latest UKAS Accreditation

Our Soils Laboratory has successfully passed the latest thourough accreditation assessment, carried out by two UKAS inspectors on 12th February.

The assessment included a full review of the management systems, training, documentation and calibration as well as examining operations and physical testing.

Congratulations and well done to all lab staff and in particular those that had to endure carrying out tests under the scrutiny of UKAS, namely Claire Hunt, Michelle Meredith, Janet Starkey, Georgina Galling, Craig Berg, Rad Bak, Gary Martin, Tom Best and Monika Bak.

The UKAS recommendation is that accreditation is renewed subject to the satisfactory completion of a few agreed improvement actions. Here are a few comments from the full report received from UKAS.

"Testing was performed to a very good standard of conformity to the technical standards; this can be attributed to a combination of regular competence assessments and verification checks, along with the maintenance of the technician training.

"All of the testing witnessed was carried out competently, confidently and efficiently.  The Atterberg testing operation runs extremely well with all the technicians trained and competent to process the samples from preparation right through to completion of the plastic limit. Liquid limit testing was executed well by everyone and the level of training has clearly lead to an efficient way of working with very few tests needing additional points to be measured.  The laboratory CBR test was also performed well.  Execution and explanation of the moisture content testing was also excellent.

"The laboratory is spacious and well laid out with good bench spaces and segregation of "clean" and "dirty or dusty" testing operations.  There is good lighting throughout.  All of the items of equipment needed to carry out the scope of accredited testing are available and generally maintained in a clean and serviceable condition.

"The accredited testing is carried out in accordance with BS 1377 but the individual methods have been supplemented with documented technical procedures.  These are well designed procedures intended to provide additional guidance and explanations to the technicians and clarification where the BS method may need further explanation.  There are controlled copies of these throughout the laboratory as well as useful extracts for parts of BS 1377 itself.  There is handy guidance for providing soil sample descriptions also.

"The assessment team has concluded that the management system is being implemented effectively and that a satisfactory level of conformity to ISO/IEC 17025 is being maintained."