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Evaluation of Industrial Hygiene Laboratories by on-Site Investigation for Revised Quality Control System  

Shin, Jung-Ah (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI), Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA))
Yi, Gwang-Yong (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI), Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA))
Park, Seung-Hyun (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI), Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA))
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene / v.23, no.3, 2013 , pp. 243-249 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: This study assessed the status of domestic industrial hygiene laboratories using data from on-site investigation for revision of quality control systems in 2012-2013. Methods: The target laboratories were 60 industrial hygiene laboratories chosen by random selection and nationwide distribution which had participated in on-site investigations for revision of quality control systems from March 2012 to August 2013. The investigation was performed on-site following standard quality control procedures. The score between each group was compared using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and the correlation between analytical career, sex, academic major of analyst and score of analytical performance was expressed as Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: The assessment revealed that the items to be improved, in sequence, were effort at staff training (score 65.5), ability to calculate data (score 73.4), establishment of internal quality control guidelines (score 75.7), laboratory facilities (score 77.1), degree of understanding and skill at gas chromatography (score 77.1). Analysis performance showed a positive correlation with career of analyst (r=0.56, p<0.01). Conclusions: The practice of on-site investigation for quality control systems showed the current status of industrial hygiene laboratories in the first trial. There were many laboratories which needed improvement and development of analytical systems. This assessment can provide information for the systematic operation and improvement of facilities at each laboratory. Further practice of this investigation will lead to a proficiency testing and accreditation system for autonomous quality control as is the practice in many countries, rather than mandatory practice by legal regulation.
Keywords
quality control system; quality assurance system; industrial hygiene laboratory;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
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