Sample management facility

CALS combines sample tracking facilities with a database for management and documentation of information in the environmental wa.sie monitoring laboratory. EWOBS provides a reporting format that prints data on the NPDLiS form. 

Audit findings or scores are useful periodic measures of improvement in PSM and ESH management. Improvement in performance between audits is generally easy to spot. Audits may not be conducted annually at each facility however, if a sufficient sample of facilities is audited each year it can provide a useful indicator of overall change across the company. Of course, the audit results are most relevant to the individual facility managers who can develop action plans for improvement based on the results. 

Data System. An IBM-PC desktop computer is interfaced to the instrument control module to provide automated data collection and analysis. The data collection and analysis programs are menu driven. A data management facility is an integral part of the data system. A modeling utility is provided to aid the operator in chosing the operating conditions (rotational speed, spin fluid volume, fluid density, etc.) for a sample. Programming is done in compiled BASIC and the 8087 math coprocessor is used to improve computational speed. 

Variations of the AAS technique are commonly used to detect zinc levels in air, water, and soil samples, as well as in certain plant and food samples. Inductively coupled argon plasma spectroscopy (ICP) is a recommended test method for analyzing solid waste samples to measure zinc. Using either the ICP method or the AAS method, operators of hazardous waste management facilities can determine whether a given sample is hazardous, based on the level of zinc in a sample of solid waste leachate. 

Based on the audit findings, the team typically issuesa report that summarizes the status of current management systems and identifies pacesetter programs and areas of non-compliance or exceptions. These findings should be provided both to the facility manager and to the PSM team, for consolidation into overall recommendations. A sample audit report is shown in Figure 4-5. 

IWo basic types of questionnaires can be used yes/no or open-ended. A sample yes/no questionnaire is provided in Figure 4-6 Figure 4-7 displays an open-ended version. The yes/no questionnaire confirms the existence of specific PSM program components or management system characteristics, while an open-ended questionnaire requires an explanation of the response and can be used to invite discussion. Yes/no questionnaires can be filled out by the facility or can be administered by less experienced assessors. Open-ended questionnaires require more experienced assessors, who are equipped to guide discussion and probe for further information. 

This sample demonstrates a format for periodic updates to all facility managers and safety directors. Note that an actual memo of this type might usefully include more operational detail. 

FIGURE 7-5. Sample PSM Pilot Test Interim Report to Facility Managers... 

Merely taking water samples, conducting an analysis, and entering the data in a log book is not managing the cooling system. Unfortunately, this scenario is still all too common, and part of the problem is that in many facilities some operators and management team members simply do not have the background or experience to interpret the data. 

---