Proficiency Testing - Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency (WASP)


  WASP Round 78 Summary (PDF) - click here to download

WASP tests the performance of laboratories measuring exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace air such as lead, benzene, isocyanates or respirable quartz. It was established in 1988 and is one of the largest schemes of its kind with over 200 laboratories participating worldwide.


Analytes in the scheme

^* Indicative range only

Operation of the scheme
The samples are prepared on various sampling media dependent on the analyte (see table). The solvent samples are provided in two loading ranges so that participants can select either chemical or thermal desorption methods.

Four samples are sent to participants every three months for each of the analyte categories. Laboratories have one month to analyse the samples and report the results. Performance is classified as Category 1 (good), Category 2 (satisfactory) or Category 3 (unsatisfactory).

WASP Event Schedule 2008-2009

Conventional Analyte Group Schedule

• Indicative dispatch dates. Participants will be notified by email of any changes if dispatches do not occur within stated week 
• HSL uses Royal Mail to dispatch WASP samples and reports. The anticipated transit times are
• 2 – 4 days for UK customers
• 4 – 6 days for European customers
• 5 – 12 days for Rest of World customers
  

• Indicative dispatch dates. Participants will be notified by email of any changes if dispatches do not occur within stated week 
• Participant reports will be dispatched 3 weeks after result due date 
• HSL uses Royal Mail to dispatch WASP samples and reports. The anticipated transit times are
• 2 – 4 days for UK customers
• 4 – 6 days for European customers
• 5 – 12 days for Rest of World customers

WASP Round 79 Report Forms
Samples for Round 79 of the WASP scheme will be dispatched on 29 September 2008. Report forms are available to download:

  WASP Round 79 Report Forms - please click here to download

Participants experiencing problems with orders, registration details, and despatch please use our online enquiry form, or email: proficiency.testing@hsl.gov.uk.

Further information
More information on the scheme is available in the WASP Information for Participants booklet (PDF format).

To join or to make an enquiry please use our online enquiry form, or contact:

Proficiency Testing Administrator
Health and Safety Laboratory
Harpur Hill
Buxton
Derbyshire
SK17 9JN

Tel: 01298 218553
Fax: 01298 218572
Email: proficiency.testing@hsl.gov.uk


WASP DVD

In order to provide technical guidance to laboratories, HSL has produced a DVD. This is based on the procedures in HSE's series 'Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances' and 'ISO' publications, and gives practical tips about how to achieve accurate results.

It is assumed that the viewer has some previous knowledge of the techniques and analytical methods used to measure hazardous substances in air.

The topics covered include:

• The analysis of metals on filter analysis using inductively coupled plasma - atomic absorption spectrometry (ICP-AES);
• The analysis of chemicals on charcoal by solvent desorption and gas chromatography (GC) analysis;
• The analysis of chemicals on Tenax for thermal desorption and GC analysis;
• The analysis of isocyanate derivatives on glass fibre filters using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

  An extract from the DVD can be downloaded by clicking here
(To view the dvd you need Windows Media Player. If you do not have Windows Media Player installed please select the link below which provides access to the free software player for PC, MAC and other platforms).

  www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp

To purchase a copy of the full DVD please contact:
Proficiency Testing Administrator
Health and Safety Laboratory
Harpur Hill
Buxton
Derbyshire
SK17 9JN

Tel: 01298 218553
Fax: 01298 218572

Email: proficiency.testing@hsl.gov.uk