ASTM_D_5829_-_96_2001.pdf

Designation:D 5829 96(Reapproved 2001)Standard Guide forPreparing a Training Program for Environmental AnalyticalLaboratories1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5829;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide is intended to assist the laboratories thatanalyze environmental samples with the development of adocumented training program.The training program shoulddevelop and increase the competence of analysts and provide ameans of recording the results of all proficiency testing.1.2 Some of the functions within a laboratory that can beaddressed using this guide are as follows:1.2.1 Analysts,1.2.2 Technicians,1.2.3 Quality assurance(QA),1.2.4 Sample receiving and control,and1.2.5 Sample procurement(sampling).2.Referenced Documents2.1EPA Standards:EPA Method 150.12SW 846 USEPATest Methods for Evaluating Solid WastePhysical/Chemical Methods,9040 and 904523.Summary of Guide3.1 This guide is summarized in the following steps:3.1.1 Define the training needs;3.1.2 Prepare training materials;3.1.2.1 Develop training objectives;3.1.2.2 Develop performance evaluation materials;3.1.2.3 Develop a detailed training outline;and,3.1.2.4 Develop a documentation form;3.1.3 Identify trainers competent in the areas defined in3.1.1;3.1.4 Determine need and frequency for retraining;3.1.5 Assemble and store training materials;and,3.1.6 Assign responsibility for training program.4.Significance and Use4.1 Training is a key component in the development of acompetent staff in the environmental laboratory.4.2 This guide will assist in providing both the organiza-tional structure and the direction for a laboratory trainingprogram.4.3 This guide will result in a documentation effort that willsatisfy the requirements of environmental auditing groups.5.Defining the Need for Training5.1 Each individual who handles or analyzes environmentalsamples must be knowledgeable in the proper procedures forperforming ones job function.Any deficiencies must becorrected by training.Training also may be extended to includethose individuals who accept and record information prior toreceipt of a sample or who are responsible for generating areport detailing the results of the analyses.Those involved withquality assurance functions need specialized training as well.5.2 The first step in developing a training program is toidentify the procedures or methods within the laboratory forwhich an individual is responsible.These may range frombasic activities to very complex manipulations or interpreta-tions.5.2.1 Basic activities might include:pH measurement,pi-petting,titrating,unloading sample shippers,or data entry.5.2.2 Complex activities might include:operating an induc-tively coupled plasma(ICP),cleaning the source of a massspectrometer,or data validation.5.2.3 Within each activity certain tasks will have to belearned.A detailed analysis of these tasks must be performedbefore specific training courses can be developed.5.2.4 Before beginning actual training,the level of trainingshould be determined using the task analysis.5.3 Before starting a training program,an approved Stan-dard Operating Procedure(SOP)must be available for eachmethod or activity.5.3.1 A detailed manual or training video may serve as anSOP.5.3.2 Published or externally prepared materials must befollowed explicitly or an in-house document should be pre-pared.It is often difficult to follow commercially preparedmaterials due to differences in the equipment,work areas,sample type,or even level of training of the analyst.For thisreason,it is advisable to prepare SOPs that detail the actual1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on WasteManagement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.06 onAnalytical Methods.Current edition approved Jan.10,1996.Published March 1996.2Available from the Superintendent of Documents,U.S.Government PrintingOffice,Washington,DC 20402.1Copyright ASTM,100 Barr Harbor Drive,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.situation that will be encountered by the trainee.6.Preparation of Training Materials6.1 An effective training program for environmental labo-ratories should use training courses that include,as a minimum,the following components.SeeAppendix X1 for an example ofa training course employing these elements.6.2 Training Objectives:6.2.1 Each method or procedure for which training will beconducted must have a set of objectives;6.2.2 Each objective should deal with specific aspects of thetraining process that require a demonstrated response;and,6.2.3 An objective should be written to include the follow-ing components:6.2.3.1 Astatement of the desired result of the training.Thisstatement will often take the following form:“After complet-ing