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SGS PERTH ACES PROFICIENCY RESULTS
The new SGS Environmental facility in Perth has not only reduced turnaround time dramatically but now leads the country with great proficiency study results. In fact, the Perth laboratory has yet to receive an outlier result in any PTA or Low Level Nutrient Water analysis trials or studies. SGS Environmental’s National QHSE Manager Trevor Pilbeam says “We have come a long way, but continue to strive for higher quality standards. Our aim is simple: To be the best.”
SGS globally has invested substantially in the laboratory services sector with the Australian Environmental laboratory network, and the Perth laboratory in particular, a major beneficiary. Many of the Perth laboratory's production gains have been through the specialized build and design of the laboratory and the customization of SGS’s LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) to better control quality within the workflow of the laboratory. Every step in the analysis process now requires a checking and validation step, going beyond NATA requirements. “We are focused on improving our service delivery to our customers”, says the Business Manager of the Perth Environmental Laboratory Corey Williams. This is the prime focus of all Quality endeavors, as meeting the requirements of the customer is the essence of both ISO 9001 and ISO 17025.
SGS Environmental Perth’s results for low level nutrients were exemplary recording z-scores of 0; Meaning that they were dead centre by statistical expression. The late Dan Wruck’s Collaborative Nutrient Trial featured 61 laboratories from the region, including government and private labs in Australia, it is now called ENCT. In the latest ENCT round SGS Perth’s results scored amongst the top few labs with excellent outcomes for: Silica, Sulfate, and Total Phosphorus. For 3 analytes, Ammonia, Filterable Reactive Phosphorus (FRP) and Organic Carbon, SGS Environmental was top lab, with perfect z-scores. SGS Environmental also aced proficiency testing in the PTA’s tests for Conductivity. “The z-score came back ‘0.00’, statistically, that’s amazing considering the number of participating labs, a perfect result for us.”
The most recent enhancement of the laboratory workflow has been “barcode location finding”, cutting down wasted time searching for samples. SGS plans to build on the success of recent changes and has facilitated a continuous improvement program including a National Training Program for Laboratory Chemists and Technicians. The Perth – Australia Headquarters for SGS is destined to be The “Center of Excellence” and is designed with numerous meeting and training rooms. So far the national training program has taken in some 40 laboratory staff, and continues to grow with both practical and theory sessions in Quality Control / Assurance and Management Systems. On a recent visit, John Widdowson, head of NATA’s Chemical Testing Section, was impressed by the size of the facility saying it was one of the most impressive he had seen. The site combines Geochemical, Oil, Gas, and Chemical Scientific expertise with Environmental testing capability that is unparalleled in the industry.
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