WORK PLANS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Focused Groundwater Investigation Work Plan Deuel Vocational Institution(DVI), Tracy, California Data Acquisition and Quality Assurance/Quality Control 5.6 Chain-of-Custody Procedures Proper chain-of-custody and sample tracking methods will be used during sample collection. These methods will include maintaining the documentation necessary to trace sample possession and the proper completion of standardized chain-of-custody forms used to accompany samples shipped to a California- certified laboratory. Field personnel(samplers)will be responsible for performing sample custody, documentation, and tracking tasks when collecting environmental samples meant for laboratory analysis or archiving. Samplers will be responsible for the care and custody of the collected samples and the proper and complete preparation of all sample labels and chain-of-custody forms related to the samples until the samples are transferred or dispatched. During an investigation, custody will be maintained if an environmental sample is: • in one's actual physical possession or view, • in one's physical possession and has not been tampered with(i.e.,under lock or official seal), • retained in a secure area with restricted access,or • placed in a container and secured with an official seal so that the sample cannot be accessed without breaking the seal. A chain-of-custody form will be used as the sample custody and analyses specification document for all samples, from the time of collection to laboratory analysis. Samples must always be accompanied by chain-of-custody paperwork. When transferring the possession of samples,the individual(s)relinquishing and receiving will sign,date,and note the time in the appropriate space on the custody paperwork. If the transfer occurs among the sampling team,the individual receiving the samples must document the range of sample numbers transferred to their possession in the"Received By"field. This act will document the physical transfer of the sample or group of samples from the sampler to other field personnel. When shipping samples via overnight courier,the individual in possession of the samples will relinquish the samples by signing, dating, and noting the time and completing the"Received By"box with the courier name and air bill number. All shipments will be accompanied by the appropriate custody and analyses specification document(s), identifying the shipment container's contents and analyses needed for each sample. The original chain-of- custody form will be stored with the project files; copies of the document will be sealed in a plastic bag and placed in the ice chest along with the samples. If sent by common carrier or air freight,the air bill will be maintained. The method of shipment, courier name(s),and other pertinent information will be entered on the chain-of-custody form. The following information will be conveyed to the scheduled laboratory when samples are shipped: • date shipped, • number of samples by concentration(high,medium, low), if known, and sample matrix, and • carrier and air bill number. Field personnel will notify the laboratory representative of Saturday sample deliveries, if necessary. 5-6