Training Course

Course Included in Conclave Fee: Field Activities Ethics and Data Integrity Training
Thursday, June 6, 2024 - 12pm Eastern - 2 hours

Training Summary
In 2006, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued a report dedicated to improving drinking water laboratory integrity (Report No. 2006-P-00036). While focused on laboratory data integrity, the authors recognized that field activities (including field measurements and sample collection) were subject to vulnerabilities and lapses in data integrity. The NELAC Institute (TNI), in its standard "General Requirements for Field Sampling and Measurement Organizations (FSMO)", outlined requirements for a robust data integrity program. It is imperative that field operations understand the need for data integrity and address the vulnerable activities that could result in unintentional or deliberate actions that could impact sample representativeness.

This course is included in the registration fee for the 2024 Field Conclave and can be used towards annual ethics and data integrity training with the addition of your organization's specific procedures. A Certificate of Completion (CoC) ($30 per person) or Certificate of Attendance (CoA) ($20 per person) may be purchased during or after registration for the Conclave. A passing score of at least 70% must be received on the test in order to receive CEUs and a CoC. Scores of less than 70% will receive a Certificate of Attendance at no reduced fee. For a CoA you will not need to take the quiz and you will not receive CEUs.

Note: This is a 2 hour course. A more in depth 5 hour course can be found on TNI's Training Website: https://nelac-institute.org/content/load_eds.php?id=277 (This course is part of TNI's Field Activities - On Demand Training.)

Instructor:   Silky Labie, Environmental Laboratory Consulting and Technology (ELCAT)
The principals of ELCAT, LLC collectively have over 70 years of experience in laboratory and field quality management. ELCAT, LLC provides extensive training of laboratory and field personnel in sampling techniques, quality management and training that addresses the requirements of the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP). It performs readiness audits for laboratories who desire to improve their quality system for the purposes of NELAP accreditation. ELCAT presents training and presentations on quality-related topics such as method performance, data integrity, corrective and preventive actions, root-cause analysis, data usability, and the role of quality managers. The company is used exclusively by the University of Florida Center for Training, Research & Education for Environmental Occupations (TREEO) for all off-site training of field personnel. It is regularly asked to provide presentations at the Florida Society of Environmental Analysts (FSEA) meetings. ELCAT, LLC has also provided training and presentations for New York City, the State of Virginia, and The NELAC Institute (TNI).