Quality control of fiber counts

 

• Program description	• Important Dates
• Classification criteria	• Care and shipment of quality control slides
• Program registration	• Sending results
• Fees	• For more information
	• List of recognized counters and laboratories

Program description
Fiber counting will be done on mixed cellulose ester membranes mounted on slides in our laboratory and will come from sampling done in various Quebec workplaces.  The homogeneity of slides has been verified before their arrival to each participant. Samples must be counted in accordance with the IRSST 243-1 method - Free Download.

Each round will consist of a series of four test slides of various densities (<100 to 1300 f/mm²).  Each year, four rounds will be shipped to counters registered in the program to evaluate their performance and/or to obtain their recognition. Individual reports are mailed to participants at the conclusion of each round and, once recognized, the counter’s name will appear on the IRSST web site, at http://www.irsst.qc.ca/en/-counters.html.

Performance results will be sent to counters on an individual basis.  This report will include the following information:  counter's results, reference count, density ratios, the coefficient of variation and the upper and lower performance limits.  This is the manner in which you will be informed of your performance and progress in the program.  Performance is judged acceptable when at least 3 out of 4 results are within the performance limits (see "Classification criteria"). 

Classification criteria
The average count for these samples is established from the results of twelve experienced counters having already demonstrated their acceptable performances in various interlaboratory exchanges.

In order to be recognized, a counter must participate and succeed in 3 successive interlaboratory exchanges:

• The counter's results must fall between 0,55 and 2,20 inclusively of the target value for at least three (3) samples out of four (4);
• His status is maintained as long as he satisfies these requirements in subsequent rounds;
• If two (2) or more results out of four (4) are not acceptable, an immediate loss of the counter's status would result. This will put him into a transition period. He may regain his status after having successfully completed two successive interlaboratory exchanges.

Program registration
With your registration form, you must supply a detailed description of the training you've received and the name, title and experience of the instructor. (A copy of an attestation or certificate from a recognized organization will suffice.)  Moreover, you must submit results obtained for three slides with different fiber densities counted ten times each, to determine  your intracounter relative standard deviation. (please use the Excel file to submit your results « Result-3X10.xls »).

A set of 4 slides will be shipped to each laboratory (to the contact person) four times a year.  The shipment will include a form to report results for each counter.  These forms must be completed and returned to the IRSST (accompanied by the slides) within one month after reception of the set.  (See  Table of important dates.)

If you add or change a registration during the year, please let us know.

Fees

LABORATORY
Initial registration	200 $
ANALYST(S)
Initial registration	50 $ per analyst
PARTICIPATION FEE
Annual laboratory fee	200 $
Cost for each participating analyst	100 $ per series

Important dates

From the standpoint of continuous improvement of the quality control of fibre counting, the IRSST has reorganized the mailing of slides by dividing the participants into two groups. The groups have been created randomly in order to obtain a similar number of counters in each of the groups. Beginning in 2012, your company will participate in the QC fibers in a predetermined group. Note that it will be impossible for a counter to participate in a round of the other group. Here are the schedules for 2012:

Group A

Serial number	2012-1	2012-2	2012-3	2012-4
Samples received	15-01-2012	15-04-2012	15-07-2012	15-10-2012
Results received (IRSST)	15-02-2012	15-05-2012	15-08-2012	15-11-2012
Reports mailed	15-03-2012	15-06-2012	15-09-2012	15-12-2012

Group B

Serial number	2012-1	2012-2	2012-3	2012-4
Samples received	25-02-2012	25-05-2012	25-08-2012	23-11-2012
Results received (IRSST)	25-03-2012	25-06-2012	25-09-2012	21-12-2012
Reports mailed	25-04-2012	25-07-2012	25-10-2012	25-01-2013

Note also that no change of group is possible due to computer data management.

If you haven't received samples at the date in the first row, contact us quickly at (514) 288-1551 ext. 246 or Email: cqfibres@irsst.qc.ca

Results and samples (slides)* must be received by the date in the second row in order for your performance to be evaluated.  All results received after this date will be considered outliers and the counter will have failed the round.

*Note: You are responsible for the safe shipment of slides to prevent breakage.

Care and shipment of quality control slides

All slides should be kept out of direct sunlight.

When returning slides, we recommend the following procedure:

• Slides are placed in their plastic box and then are shipped in a padded envelope to;
  • Mr Martin Beauparlant
    IRSST
    Research Department 
    505 De Maisonneuve West Blvd 
    12th floor
    Montréal (Québec) H3A 3C2
    

Sending results
We would like to inform all participants who chose to fax or e-mail results, that we need to receive the original, completed and signed form also.  Also, we must remind participants of the importance of returning the slides back to us by the deadline; your results will no longer be processed if the slides haven’t been returned on time.

For more information
Any questions concerning the fiber counting quality control program may be addressed to:

Mr Martin Beauparlant IRSST Research Department   505 De Maisonneuve West Blvd Montréal, Québec H3A 3C2

Telephone: (514) 288-1551 ext. 336 Fax: (514) 288-9632 E-mail: cqfibres@irsst.qc.ca

OR

Ms Claudette M. Dufresne

Telephone: (514) 288-1551 ext. 405 Fax : (514) 288-9632 E-mail: cqfibres@irsst.qc.ca

OR

Ms Catheline Pelletier

Telephone : (514) 288-1551 ext. 364 ou 246 Fax: (514) 288-9632 E-mail : cqfibres@irsst.qc.ca

List of recognized counters and laboratories
Participating labs in our quality control program have their recognized counters listed on our web site.  This list is updated at the conclusion of each round and lets you and your clients know how the fibre counters are performing.  To consult the recognized laboratories and counters list.