Organizations and their affiliated Analysts involved in the performance of fiber counts of air samples on the job site that wish to demonstrate and ensure that they have sound quality practices should be a part of this program. The AAR maintains minimum standards of conduct for the quality control procedures and practices of field fiber-counting operations. The AAR's Asbestos Analysts Testing (AAT) program is one of the largest statistically valid airborne fiber-counting quality control programs in the world. All enrolled analysts must maintain proficiency in the AAT program to meet all requirements for registration.
People who require qualified fiber counters to analyze their asbestos-containing samples. To view the list of currently approved AAR Organizations click here. To view the list of AIHA Registry Programs Board Approved Analysts click
here.
The Industrial Hygiene Proficiency Analytical Testing (IHPAT) for Asbestos operated by the AIHA Proficiency Analytical Testing Programs, LLC, is a proficiency testing program designed for laboratory participation. The laboratory submits data, which determines the proficiency testing performance of the laboratory. The performance report demonstrates the proficiency status of the laboratory or organization. For additional information on the IHPAT program, please visit the AIHA Proficiency Analytical Testing Programs, LLC website.
The Asbestos Analysts Testing (AAT) program is a proficiency testing program designed to demonstrate the proficiency status of the individual analyst enrolled with an approved AAR organization. Only Analysts enrolled in the AAR program can participate in the AAT program. Each enrolled analyst submits AAT data, which determines the proficiency testing performance of the individual analyst. The performance report shows the proficiency status and board approval status of all enrolled analysts for the organization.
The samples provided by the IHPAT and AAT programs are generated by the vendor in the same method, however, the IHPAT samples are analyzed by an individual analyst representing the laboratory, and the AAT samples are apportioned among the individual analysts for individual analysis of the sample.
Download the AAR Policy Document , AAR Application and the Registry Programs Fee Schedule. The Policy document will outline the requirements, policies and registration process of the AAR. The Application needs to be completed to enroll in the program for both the organization and your affiliated analysts. It is not possible for analysts to be enrolled in the program without an affiliated organization. Forms 1-7 are for the organization portion of the application and Forms 8-10 are the analyst portion of the application. Follow the application instructions and submit the application in duplicate with the required attachments and fees. An initial organization must pay the Initial Application and Filing Fee, the Annual AAR Fee (per organization), the Enrollment Fee (per analyst), the Annual Fee (per analyst), and the Asbestos Analysts Testing Fee for the rounds of the year (1 set must be purchased for every 5 analysts enrolled).
An analyst must be affiliated with an approved AAR organization to submit an application. See "How does an organization apply for the AAR" to apply as an analyst with a new organization. Analysts new to the AAR may be added to an approved AAR organization. The analyst must complete and submit an application that demonstrates their quality control work with their current organization. Download the Analyst Add Forms, Analyst Add Instructions and the Registry Programs Fee Schedule. Follow the instructions and complete the add forms. Submit them with the required attachments and fees. An analyst application must include the Enrollment Fee (per analyst) and the Annual Fee (per analyst). A set of Asbestos Analysts Testing for the remaining rounds of the year must be purchased if the addition of the analyst brings the total number of analysts to the next multiple of 5 (1 set is required for every 5 analysts enrolled).
An analyst must be affiliated with an approved AAR organization to submit an application. See "How does an organization apply for the AAR" to apply as an analyst with a new organization. Analysts that have previously been enrolled in the AAR program may transfer to an approved AAR organization by submitting an application that demonstrates their quality control work with the new organization. Download the Analyst Add Forms, Analyst Add Instructions and the Registry Programs Fee Schedule. Follow the instructions and complete the add forms. Submit them with the required attachments and fees. An analyst application must include the Enrollment Fee (per analyst) and the Annual Fee (per analyst). A set of Asbestos Analysts Testing for the remaining rounds of the year must be purchased if the addition of the analyst brings the total number of analysts to the next multiple of 5 (1 set is required for every 5 analysts enrolled).
To remove or drop an analyst from the AAR, the organization or analyst must complete and submit the appropriate analyst drop form, Form 11 or 12 of the AAR Application. Form 11 is designed for the organization to drop an analyst. Form 12 is designed for an analyst to drop themselves from an organization. Either form 11 or 12 should be submitted; both are not required. The form can be submitted via email (cdezio@aiha.org), fax (703-207-8558) or post (AIHA Registry Programs, LLC, 2700 Prosperity Ave Ste 250, Fairfax, VA 22031). Note that enrolled analysts who do not participate in two (2) consecutive AAT rounds, without an approved exemption, will be administratively dropped from the AAR program (AAR Policy, Article III, Section 3.9.1).
An organization that wishes to end its participation in the AAR program must contact the AIHA Registry Programs, LLC in writing. The request can be submitted via email (cdezio@aiha.org), fax (703-207-8558) or post (AIHA Registry Programs, LLC, 2700 Prosperity Ave Ste 250, Fairfax, VA 22031). Note that annual participation fees are non-refundable. Upon the drop of an organization from the AAR, its affiliated analysts will also be dropped from the program.
The approval process for the organization generally take as long as three months after the receipt of the organization application at the AIHA Registry Programs, LLC. However this time can be longer depending upon the completeness of the required application information submitted by the organization to AIHA Registry Programs, LLC and if the application materials meet the technical requirements of the program.
The Board approval process for the analyst can take up to six months. The analyst must complete two consecutive rounds of the AAT with no more than two outliers; the analyst 's organization must be an approved AAR organization; and the analyst application documents must be approved, which depends upon the completeness of the required analyst application information submitted to the AIHA Registry Programs, LLC.
Each analyst must successfully complete a NIOSH 582 (or equivalent) course in Asbestos Fiber Counting and must be able to provide documentation of this completion (course certificate and outline).
If an organization uses an in-house training program, this training must be verified by the use of a written protocol with performance criteria. Training shall include a minimum of 30 hours of contact and analytical time by a qualified instructor.
A listing of NIOSH 582 Equivalency courses that have been reviewed and recommended for listing as NIOSH 582 equivalent by the AIHA Registry Programs, LLC can be found here. This list is provided to aid analysts in finding a NIOSH 582 equivalent course.
Yes, as part of any new employee's training with an AAR organization, the organization shall evaluate the new employee's skills and training to determine the employee's level of competence and compliance with the organization's QA program requirements. This is normally accomplished during a probationary period.
The length of probation is strictly determined by the analyst's ability to conform to method and QA program requirements. the AIHA Registry Programs, LLC recommends a probationary period of at least two weeks. Documentation of the new employee probationary period is required to maintain AAR board approval. See AAR Policy , Article II, Section 2.2.4.
In accordance with AAR program policies, approved organizations and their affiliated analysts analysts must follow the most current revision of the NIOSH 7400 analytical method of fiber analysis.
Equipment must be suitable for the analyses performed. A fiber-counting microscope that meets the criteria in the OSHA standard for asbestos or the latest version of NIOSH Method 7400 must be available. As well as the equipment detailed in the the latest version of NIOSH Method 7400, including a Walton-Beckett graticule, a phase-shift test slide and the items necessary to prepare the sample filters for analysis.
Organizational procedures must include sample custody, tracking, and reporting. Analytical procedures must be written and include the requirements of the AAR Policy Document and AAR Application. For example equipment setup and microscope alignment, field calibration, sample preparation, analytical procedure, counting, calculations, and precise adherence to the latest version of NIOSH Method 7400.
A specific written description of the quality control program must be provided. This program must include the requirements of the AAR Policy Document and AAR Application. For example routine or scheduled maintenance, microscope resolution and calibration checks each time the microscope is set up, analysis of blanks, recount analysis, replicate counting practices and use of control charts, proficiency checks of analysts, specific quality control procedures for on-site counting, items 3-5 to conform to Appendix A of the OSHA Standard for asbestos, participation in Inter-laboratory Fiber Exchange Program (Round Robin), and precise adherence to the latest version of NIOSH Method 7400.
A quality assurance manual must outline the elements of a quality assurance program, which are outlined in the AAR Policy Document and the AIHA Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual. This AIHA Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual is available for purchase through the AIHA Marketplace (Product ID: LQAM05-699) and is a reference document providing general guidance for the establishment of a comprehensive quality assurance program.
It is also an acceptable practice for an organization to acquire the services of a quality consultant to assist with the development of a QA program manual. Refer to the AIHA Consultants List for a listing of qualified consultants.
A round robin consists of an exchange of samples among at least three separate organizations, culminating in a statistical comparison of results. To meet AAR program and OSHA requirements, each organization must participate in at least two round robin rounds annually. Your other participating round robin organizations must all be involved in fiber counting operations, but do not need to be involved in the AAR program.
A guidance document discussing the minimum recommendations for a round robin program may be obtained by clicking here.
A list of organizations seeking fiber counting round robin participants is maintained on the AIHA Registry Programs, LLC website. Additionally, the list of AAR Organizations may provide a source for round robin participants on a regional and national level, as all AAR organizations must be in a program.
Reference slides are slides created by the organization from multiple sources, such as AAT samples and field samples, that have statistically derived reference values and limits of acceptability that have been determined by the organization. Industrial Hygiene Proficiency Analytical Testing Program (IHPAT) and/or Asbestos Analytical Testing (AAT) Program proficiency samples and statistically validated client or working samples representing the fiber-loading ranges outlined in the NIOSH 7400 method shall be included in a well-developed reference library.
To statistically validate any reference test slide, a minimum of 20 readings must be obtained. The mean value of these readings will then be considered the reference value for the test slide, and the standard deviation will be considered the limits of acceptability.
To comply with the requirements of the NIOSH 7400, at least one reference slide must be analyzed by each analyst prior to fiber counting any real-world or client samples. The selection of the slide must be random and must, over time, include all loading ranges.
To meet the requirements of the AAR program, each analyst must provide reference slide data for at the three fiber-loading ranges detailed in the NIOSH 7400 method and the AAR Policy document and demonstrate that the data are evaluated for acceptability on a real-time basis.
See AAR Policy, Article II, Section 2.3.7.1 for more information.
There are a variety of methods for determining an analyst's coefficient of variation or intracounter relative standard deviation. This statistic describes the variability of data obtained by a single counter.
The NIOSH 7400 method and the AIHA Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual require the use of replicate analyses of reference slides to determine the intracounter variability for each fiber-loading range. The OSHA ID-160 method requires the construction of a CV curve. There have also been a number of articles published advocating the use of the recount analyses to determine an analyst's coefficient of variation for each fiber-loading range. All of these approaches are considered statistically valid and acceptable for AAR program compliance.
The analyst's relative standard deviation (or coefficient of variation) must be determined to properly evaluate the 10 percent recount acceptability. Additional assistance in understanding the statistics involved with all of these approaches may be obtained by contacting a consultant.
Quality control charts are used to reveal variation in analytical performance from a historical record for the same procedure. Accuracy and precision control charts work together to demonstrate the reliability of the analytical method.
Control charts are tools that can be used to identify assignable causes such as systematic bias, imprecision or random errors. Guidance on the development of a quality control chart can be found in the AIHA Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual and cited references. Development of a quality control chart for each reference slide is recommended by the AAR program to determine the acceptability of daily reference slide analysis for each counter.
The NIOSH 7400 method requires the "periodic" use of the HSE/NPL slide. The frequency of use must be determined by the organization and stated in the organization's QA manual. Prior to determining this frequency, the organization should evaluate whether its microscopes are used in a field or laboratory setting and if analysts share the same microscope. As a minimum, the HSE/NPL test slide should be used every time a microscope is moved from one location to another and each time a new microscopist/microscope pairing occurs. The periodic use of the HSE/NPL test slide by every enrolled analyst must be documented to meet AAR program requirements.
The "B" counting rules are alternate counting rules contained in the NIOSH 7400 method. The "B" rules are slightly different from the "A" rules and are to be used for nonasbestos fiber counting such as fiberglass and man-made mineral fibers.
The OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.1001) require the analyst to only count fibers equal to or longer than 5 µm with a length-to-width ratio of 3:1 or greater. This is consistent with the "A" counting rules outlined in the NIOSH 7400 method.
The "A" counting rules must be used to maintain compliance with AAR program requirements and must also be used in the IHPAT program.
This course may be taught in-house so long as equivalency can be demonstrated. To document equivalency, a course syllabus with a minimum of 30 classroom hours must be provided to the AIHA Registry Programs, LLC for review.
Your organization's course can be reviewed and listed by the AIHA Registry Programs, LLC by visiting the NIOSH 582 Equivalency Course page and completing the application.
If you have questions that are not addressed here or on this website, please contact the AIHA Registry Programs, LLC at (703) 84-0755 or cdezio@aiha.org. Your feedback will help to improve the usefulness of this document.