Valid Analytical Measurement programme publishes new guides on CD-Rom designed to make achieving best laboratory practice easy for inexperienced staff
LGC, as part of the DTI's National Measurement System's 'Valid Analytical Measurement' (VAM) programme, has produced a series of practical training guides on a range of basic measurement skills and techniques.
Published by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) on behalf of the VAM programme, 'Practical Laboratory Skills Training Guides' look at the principles and terminology of each technique, including the choice of equipment, and follows this up with step-by-step instructions and some practical exercises.
Titles available as part of this package are 'Measurement of Mass', 'Measurement of Volume', 'Measurement of pH', 'High Performance Liquid Chromatography' and 'Gas Chromatography'.
'Practical Laboratory Skills Training Guides' are intended for inexperienced staff in industry, students at university or anyone needing a clear, concise and reliable guide to analytical procedures.
The guides are also a useful refresher for experienced staff who have been absent from the laboratory for a period of time.
Graham Atkinson, laboratory services manager at Croda Chemicals in Goole, East Yorkshire, said: "We have been using the guides as part of our laboratory training programme and have integrated them into a laboratory quality assurance system.
The guides have been particularly useful for members of staff new to analytical chemistry.
Using the guides enables them to carry out competent analysis more quickly than before they were available.
Having read the guides, new staff complete simple exercises and the data are recorded.
If new staff meet the set analytical criteria they are allowed to progress to actual factory analysis." The guides include a minimal amount of theory, as their main function is to guide in best practice and not teach the subject in depth. There are also practical exercises to help to establish whether a trainee has accomplished a particular level of competence.
The chromatography guides also contain trouble-shooting information. Denis Walker, director of the DTI's National Measurement System Directorate, said: "DTI recognises the essential role of measurement in underpinning the UK's competitiveness and quality of life.
Through the VAM Programme we are helping to ensure that the UK has the necessary infrastructure and tools to make valid analytical measurements.
It is particularly pleasing that the 'Practical Laboratory Skills Training Guides' developed by LGC are being so well received by industry." The guides were written by staff at LGC in collaboration with members of Socsa (Specialised Organic Chemical Sector Association) Analytical Network group, which itself is part of the Chemical Industries Association.
Each title in this series is sold separately or as part of a package that also includes the five guides and two CD-Roms.
The CD-Roms give clear practical instructions on best practice.
One CD covers the basic skills required by all analysts, as well as others who regularly make measurements in chemical or similar laboratories.
The second CD covers additional skills including drying and ashing, solvent extraction and rotary evaporation.
