RPF Task Group Feedback Lab Accreditation TG Skills Development TG

1
RPF Task Group FeedbackLab Accreditation
TGSkills Development TG

• 16/17 November 2004

2
Background

• Task group formed to look at Lab Accreditation
• Shortfall in accreditation process - lack of a
  proficiency scheme to ISO 43
• Proposal developed for a National Proficiency
  Scheme
• Stakeholder workshop to discuss proposal

3
Laboratory Proficiency Workshop 11 Feb 2004

• Strong industry representation that would act as
  the coordinating body (NPASR)
• All in favour of a national proficiency scheme
• Problem with reference labs
• Needed to be cost-effective
• All accepted a pilot study to be run by Gautrans
  and Western Cape
• 3 tests to be investigated
• Atterberg limits
• Bitumen penetration
• Sieve analysis

4
Actions from the workshop

• B Dumas tasked to prepare and distribute the
  paperwork for the scheme
• Test methods
• Preparation procedures
• Analysis models and reporting procedures
• All results back to B Dumas for analysis and
  feedback to workshop attendees
• Analysis just about complete
• Evaluation reports to workshop members
• Next workshop in Jan/Feb 2005

5
Issues for next workshop

• Presentation of results from both studies
• Sieve analysis OK
• Atterbergs reasonable
• Bitumen penetration problematic
• Different procedures used by W Cape and Gautrans
  implications needs discussion
• Precision limits for test methods
• Cost to run the scheme based on the pilot study
  need to be presented
• Follow up actions with participating labs
• Decision on how to formalise the scheme

6
Skills Development
7
Status

• National Certificate in the supervision of
  construction processes in place at NQF level 4
• National certificate in construction materials
  manufacturing under development (NQF 2 6)
• Problem with HMA and bituminous binders resolved
• National certificate in Materials Testing under
  development (NQF 2 7)
• NQF 4 in place
• NQF 5 7 meeting with Engineering SGB on 26
  November