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Quality Management System, U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory

By Thomas J. Maloney, Editor

 

USGS Open-File Report 2005-1263, chapters and appendixes variously paged,

 

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The citation for this report, in USGS format, is as follows:


Maloney, T.J., ed., 2005, Quality management system, U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1263, version 1.3, 9 November 2005, chapters and appendixes variously paged.

Abstract

A quality management system (QMS) is a document that describes the quality policy, system, and practices of an organization. The document may include by reference other publications relating to the laboratory's arrangements.

 

The U.S. Geological Survey QMS describes the policies, objectives, principles, organizational authority, responsibilities, accountability, and implementation plan of the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) for ensuring quality in its work processes, products, and services. It includes all operations associated with its internal management and extends as far as practicable toward the field-sampling component and the data user.

 

The quality system described in the QMS is the framework for planning, implementing, and assessing work performed by the NWQL and for carrying out required quality assurance and quality control for compliance with the standards set by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference.

 

All personnel associated with the NWQL, including Federal and non-Federal employees, are bound by the requirements set forth in the policies, processes, and standard operating procedures included or referenced in this document.

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Contents

1.0 Introduction
      1.1  Scope
      1.2  Quality
      1.3  Ethics Program
      1.4  Safety and Health
      1.5  Environmental Compliance
2.0  Management Requirements
      2.1  Organization
      2.2  Quality System
      2.3  Management Records
      2.4  Acquisition
      2.5  Customer Service
      2.6  Control of Nonconforming Environmental Testing
      2.7  Corrective Action
      2.8  Reviews
      2.9  Software
3.0  Technical Requirements
      3.1  Personnel
      3.2  Accommodation and Environmental Conditions
      3.3  Environmental Test Methods and Method Validation
      3.4  Equipment
      3.5  Measurement Traceability
      3.6  Sampling and Sample Handling
      3.7  Reporting the Results
      3.8  Confidentiality and Sensitive Information
4.0  References Cited
Appendix A — Method Holding Times Used by the National Water Quality Laboratory
Appendix B — Essential Quality Control and Quality Assurance Requirements
Appendix C — Radon by Scintillation Counting
Appendix D — Code of Ethics
Appendix E — Glossary

 

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