Managing proficiency sample reports – Tracking quality
If your laboratory is accredited, you are required to participate in a Proficiency Sample Program (PSP) in the areas that are applicable to your areas of accreditation. This requirement is a tool for your laboratory to monitor not only quality but to identify any testing issues that may arise with erroneous data. You can track trending PSP sample results and easily identify where a potential problem began.
If your laboratory is accredited with the AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP), you will receive PSP samples from AASHTO re:source and or CCRL. PSP samples participants receive a final report that is then reviewed by the QC manager within the laboratory.
What to look for
When reviewing your final report, accredited laboratories are required to document samples (corrective action report). With results beyond two standard deviations (rating of 0, 1, and 2). This is done by identifying the root cause and having a correction action in place to alleviate future non-conformities.
Easy to overlook for on-site assessments
In past years the corrective action report was required to be sent to (then) AMRL, but is now only required to be documented in-house within the Quality Manual (QM). However, when the on-site assessment comes around, the assessor will review your QM and check all samples for low ratings.
Documenting PSP report and low rating within R18LabQMS
This is done by clicking on the “Reports” tab at the top. You will then see “PSP Reports.” Here you will see a summary of all PSP report and any documentation of low ratings. Click “+ New PSP Report” to add, then within that page you will be able to add “Results Requiring Corrective Actions.”
Resources
Training and informational videos that include version updates, R18LabQMS demos and more.
R18LabQMS has a knowledge base
Accessible from the dashboard within the application, top right “help”.
Training opportunities
Once you work through the setup process, the following links can be found in the lower right-hand corner of the application;
• Support
• R18 Blog
• WebEx – Additional training, please let us know and we can set this up.
• Onsite Training – Fee-based, please inquire.
Upcoming meetings
Asphalt Institute Summer Meeting
August 6-9, 2018
Committee on Materials and Pavements (COMP)
Sunday, August 5 – Friday, August 10, 2018
SEAUPG 2018 Annual Meeting & Exhibits
Southeastern Asphalt User / Producer Group
November 12-15, 2018
For all questions regarding your quality management system, whether your lab is accredited or not, please contact us and learn how R18LabQMS can add value to your company.
– Gary Irvine
R18LabQMS Program Manager