Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Program (IHLAP)
(ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation)
The Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Program (IHLAP), has been accrediting labs for more than 30 years. This program is designed for labs involved in analyzing samples taken in the workplace environment.
The Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Program is designed specifically for laboratories involved in analyzing samples to evaluate workplace exposure. Participation assists the laboratory in maintaining high quality standards.
Why participate in the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Program?
When a laboratory is accredited by AIHA, the laboratory and its clients have the assurance that the laboratory has met defined standards for performance based on examination of a variety of criteria. The AIHA IHLAP is the largest program of its kind in the world and has been in operation since 1974. When an IH laboratory is accredited by AIHA, it becomes part of an elite group of laboratories achieving and maintaining a high level of professional performance.
Who should participate in the program?
An industrial hygiene laboratory is a laboratory that analyzes samples taken in the workplace environment. Since results of these analyses are used to determine the magnitude or presence of a problem in the workplace environment, it is vital that the laboratory analyzing the samples be proficient in producing high quality data on which important health decisions will be based. Accreditation from AIHA is a mark of that capability.
What if an organization has multiple industrial hygiene laboratories?
If an organization has a number of in-house industrial hygiene laboratories based in different locations, each location will be identified as a separate entity, and each must individually comply with all accreditation requirements.
What are the criteria for accreditation?
The main program requirement areas are:
1) Personnel Qualifications
Please see the AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Policies, Module 2A, Section 2A.5.2 and Module 2B, Section 2B.3. AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Policy Modules.
2) Participation in PAT Program
Before a laboratory enters the AIHA IH Laboratory Accreditation Program, it is required to participate in the AIHA Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT) program for all categories of analytes that are part of the services provided by the laboratory
Data obtained from participation in the PAT program is available to the IH Laboratory Accreditation Committee, and the evaluation of results, insofar as it affects the accreditation of a laboratory, will be the responsibility of that committee.
3) Facilities
A laboratory must have adequate space, facilities, and equipment for the services provided
4) Quality Control & Equipment
Routine quality control procedures must be an integral part of a laboratory's procedures and functions. A quality assurance plan (a working document itemizing the day to day implementation of the laboratory's quality assurance and quality control procedures) will be evaluated.
Quality control for laboratories performing airborne asbestos analyses must comply with the quality assurance requirements of the Asbestos Standard CFR 1910.1001, Appendix A, and NIOSH 7400 Method, current revision.
5) Laboratory Records
The laboratory must maintain proper and adequate records and files. A sample numbering and tracking system, analytical data, analytical results, report format, records of analytical data, and reporting of the quality control data will be evaluated.
6) Methods of Analysis
The methods (not procedures) used by the laboratory, including a method review program, will be evaluated to determine that accepted and documented industrial hygiene laboratory methods are used, approved by the laboratory director, made available to industrial hygiene analysts, and modified with the approval of the laboratory director.
7) Site Visits
Site visits of laboratories are conducted by trained, experienced assesors acting on behalf of AIHA. These visits will generally take place once every two years, unless additional site visits are deemed necessary by AIHA.
Can Bulk Asbestos be incorporated into IHLAP?
The Bulk Asbestos Proficiency Analytical Testing (BAPAT) program can now be incorporated into a laboratory's accreditation in the IHLAP. Two options are available for industrial hygiene laboratories:
- If the laboratory is already accredited as part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), no action is required.
- If a laboratory performs bulk asbestos analysis for clients and is not part of the NVLAP, then the laboratory can include this analyte as part of its IHLAP accreditation as outlined in the revised program policies.
Click here to view a flowchart that outlines the process of accreditation
For more information on the IHLAP Program, contact the Laboratory Accreditation Department at AIHA; (703) 849-8888