Inter-laboratory testing programs form an important part of the quality control in an analytical laboratory.

Managing and validating the performance of an analytical laboratory is critical to ensure that the process or refinery it supports has confidence in the results that are reported.

Laboratory audits are a useful way to observe and review technical aspects of the instruments and methods used in a laboratory and to ensure processes are appropriate for the laboratory’s needs.

Protocols that ensure consistency in training and sign-off of trained staff are critical in an analytical laboratory.

On-the-spot risks assessments are a useful safety tool, allowing for the consideration of how day-to-day variations in the work environment can impact the potential for incident and injury.

Risk assessments are used to assess inherent and residual risks associated with particular processes and to identify appropriate risk controls.

The technical content of a report must be supported by a well-written “story” that draws your reader in.

Ongoing monitoring of control charts can be used to identify potential issues with analytical instrumentation.

Monitoring analytical instruments using control charts is a practical way to validate instrument performance.

Checklists and one page procedures can be useful supplementary documents to complement written laboratory methods.

A well-written method for the operation of an analytical instrument is one of the most useful documents in a laboratory.

The practical aspect of laboratory training ensures that a scientist is physically capable of carrying out a particular experiment or analysis.