LAWR

MCERTS Accredited Emissions Monitoring & Testing Providing market-leading, professional and competitive monitoring and testing services throughout the UK, Ireland and internationally, Environmental Scientifics Group's Stack Emissions Monitoring business is one of the largest established MCERTS & UKAS accredited consultancies. Our Services Include: • Routine monitoring for compliance with environmental permitting requirements & obligations • QAL2 & AST calibration of Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems, including functional checks • Investigative & process optimisation trials • Monitoring of substitute fuel trials & co-incineration plant • Plant commissioning & abatement efficiency monitoring projects • UKAS accredited analytical services for stack gas samples 0845 603 2112 sales@esg.co.uk ESG also provide Stack Emissions Instrument Servicing, Maintenance & Calibration Support Services www.esg.co.uk 1015 Source TeSTing ASSociATion | Annual Guide 2014 12 So what about when things go wrong. I'm sure that it will come as no surprise to you to learn that emission monitor- ing is not immune to problems. Stack testing is a complex exercise; there is a lot that can go wrong. Part of the MCERTS personnel accreditation scheme specifically con- siders how a Team Leader would address specific problems commonly encountered on-site. e complexity of testing means that there are several variables that could go wrong. Sometimes it is the fault of the contractor, like sample loss or data corruption; some- times it is the fault of the operator, process issues or scheduling problems. Either way, the most important issue is how the contractor will resolve the problem. Will they share your desire to meet your reporting deadline? A good contractor will put right any deficiencies that are their fault without delay and as a top priority. If your choice of contractor is based solely upon cost, everything I have said up until this point is largely irrele- vant. But I want to guide you away from looking at the fee in isolation. Of course the fee is important. We are all com- mercial organisations and in times of austerity, money is tight. But cost alone should not be the only consideration. Cheap may be cheap for a reason. I mentioned earlier about scrutinising your quotes. Are sample numbers the same? Are sample durations the same? Are there any hidden fees? Are the costs fixed or dependent upon assumptions? Are there any added extras? is may be a good or a bad thing. You may be paying for welcome support or equally for something that you don't need. What I do want to focus on is the cost of getting the decision wrong. ere are many implications for making the wrong choice. In the worst instance, you may have to repeat the monitoring. It may affect the fee you pay to your regulator. What about poor data – will it stand up to scru tiny if you receive a complaint. Poor quality data can also lead to incorrect assessments of the impact upon the environment. Don't forget the cost of spending your valuable time having to deal with the consequences of all the things I've just mentioned. ere are many things to consider when making your choice and I hope that I have been able to clarify some of those for you. If I can leave you with three pieces of advice: 1. Please DO consider health and safety and accreditation credentials. 2. Please DON'T make your decision based upon cost alone. 3. Please give yourself plenty of time. It may not be the most exciting thing that you have to organise this year, but it is an important one. Please give yourself the time to make the right decision for you. n Ray Pullen Technical & Quality Manager Envirocare Technical Consultancy Ltd STA Chairman Siris Environmental Limited Siris Environmental Limited Siris Environmental Limited Telephone: 0191 5131313 Telephone: 0191 5131313 Telephone: 0191 5131313 Email: sales@siris.co.uk Email: sales@siris.co.uk Email: sales@siris.co.uk Extremely robust Flow / time proportional Multiple bottle options Auto clean / empty GSM option SMS Alarm option Patented enclosure MCERTS units available Wastewater Samplers (Vacuum or In-Line) STA Article 3 WP.indd 12 05/02/2014 19:48 » 13 Annual Guide 2014 | Source TeSTing ASSociATion Training Courses Risk Assessment - Industrial Emission Monitoring Risk assessment procedures, COSHH, safe lifting, correct use of Personal Protective Equipment Regulatory Monitoring Requirements for Process Operators Understanding of the Environment Agency's MCERTS schemes as part of the requirement of the Environment Agency Operator Monitoring Assessment (OMA) scheme On Site Auditing Auditing of stack-emission monitoring, basic understanding of stack-emission monitoring BS EN14181 Quality Assurance of an AMS For Regulators, Equipment Manufacturers, Test Houses and most importantly - Process Operators Uncertainty in Emission Monitoring Calculating uncertainty MCERTS Personnel Competency The courses to assist personnel with the examination process. These courses including one day revision course for Level 1 and Technical Endorsements 1 to 4 through to five day training for Level 1 & Level 2 new personnel All one day course can be arranged on site. Tel: 01462 457535 or email: sam@s-t-a.org For details of all STA training visit: www.s-t-a.org STA Advert:Layout 1 8/11/13 11:47 Page 1 T he term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at technical colleges and polytech- nics. In addition to the basic training required for a trade, occupation or profession, observers of the labour-market recognise today the need to continue training beyond initial qualifica- tions: to maintain, upgrade and update skills throughout working life. e STA is committed to encourage the personal and professional development of practicing source testers and students and provide training courses on various aspects of emission monitoring. e training arm has grown over the years following requests from its members to pro- vide independent and impartial training courses. e first course, working at heights, started in 1997 after the unfortunate fatality of a stack tester. is course, which is based on the STA Risk Assessment Guide: Industrial-emission monitoring, has been updated at regular intervals to take into account the new health and safety legislation. Upwards of 2000 delegates have been on the course since its inception. Current courses include: Risk Assessment – Industrial Emission Monitoring e course covers all aspects of the "Yellow Book" and includes case studies of recent H&S incidents, the use of Risk Assessment, COSHH, safe lifting, Weather Conditions, Electricity and PPE use. Course content (presented in six modules) 1. e basics of risk assessment 2. General site hazards 3. Physical hazards 4. Chemical hazards on site 5. Chemical hazards in the laboratory 6. Weather, Environment and Welfare. Regulatory Monitoring Requirements for Process Operators e purpose of the course is to provide an un- derstanding of the Environment Agency's MCERTS schemes as part of the requirement of the EA Operator Monitoring Assessment. is will increase process operators' awareness of their role in managing emissions monitor- ing and so improve their OMA audit score. Course content • Background to Environmental Regulations including IPPC. • Description of the OMA scheme. • e role of MCERTS schemes in stack- emission monitoring. • Introduction to major pollutants • e nature of emission limits, including reference conditions and units of measurement. • An understanding of the principles of stack-emission monitoring. • An appreciation of the importance of correct sampling location for stack emission monitoring • e practicalities of planning and executing stack-emissions monitoring campaigns including the importance of Risk Assessments. • Quality checks to ensure robust monitoring data. On Site Auditing A requirement of the OMA scheme is for process operators to carry out periodic audit- ing of stack-emission monitoring. On-site auditing refers specifically to checking that the personnel carrying out monitoring do so in accordance with the agreed site-specific protocol (SSP) and documented procedures. e aim of this one-day training course is to provide a basic understanding of stack- emission monitoring to enable process operators, regulators and environmental con- sultants to audit stack sampling contractors. Course content • Ethical requirements for independence and environmental awareness • Use of MCERTS certified personnel • Selection of appropriate methods following international standards • Method Implementation Documents • Estimation of measurement uncertainty • Use of appropriate equipment • Description of standard reference methods • Planning of a sampling measurement STA has training covered campaign: site review; risk assessment; site-specific protocol • Reporting of results • Participation in proficiency-testing schemes. BS EN14181 quality assurance of an AMS BS EN 14181—Stationary source emissions – Quality assurance of automated measuring systems (AMS) (CEM systems) is one of the most significant and demanding standards to be developed by CEN and it has far reaching consequences for Regulators, Equipment Manufactures, Test Houses and most importantly – Process Operators. In the implementation of the standard the Agency has developed a Method Implemen- tation Document (MID) and a Technical Guidance Note. e purpose of the training is to provide guidance in the application of the various parts of the standard. ere are practical examples of how to handle the data and establish the calibration function. Course content • Background Directives, legislation and implementation • QAL1 and MCERTS Definition and understanding • QAL2 and SRMs Definition and scope of the Standard Reference Methods (SRM). Importance of quality measurements. • Roles and responsibility As required by QAL2 and the annual surveillance tests (AST) • QAL3 How this is carried out and the audit requirements. • Practical examples Using example data to establish a calibration function. Meeting the reporting requirements of BS EN14181 STA Article 4-5 WP.indd 13 05/02/2014 19:49

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