Quality & Safety


Quality Assurance

Grace Consulting, Inc. has considered quality assurance/quality control as one of our top priorities since the inception of the firm. In addition to the concepts described regarding TOTAL QUALITY, GCI has complete QA/QC packages for all of our field sampling for air emissions work, and also requires QA/QC of all engineering and science activities.

GCI worked tirelessly to implement a comprehensive Quality Assurance Program, which applies for initial preparatory activities through report generation. This includes the following measures:

Technical staff follows standard operation procedures under the direct supervision of a senior staff member. Any field measurements taken are directly recorded on field data forms and input into an on-site computer. Proper chain-of-custody is followed for all samples collected in the field for analysis at the analytical laboratory. All data records are filed and archived.

Data submittals and reports are validated, reviewed, and approved by management prior to release. GCI operates in compliance with the ASTM D7036-04 Standard Practice for Competence of Air Emissions Testing Bodies and is organized so that our facilities and resources meet the requirements of ASTM D7036. GCI has also received STAC/A2LA Accreditation regarding our Quality practices (http://www.betterdata.org/accreditedorganizations.htm). We provide adequate supervision of technical staff, including trainees, by persons familiar with relevant methods and procedures, the purpose of the test project, and with assessment of testing results.

Standards Held for Onsite Project Managers

GCI’s Project Manager has overall responsibility for the technical operations of specific Grace Consulting work assignments and will have a minimum of five (5) years stack testing experience. The Project Manager will have demonstrated competence in air emission testing activities through education and/or professional experience/certifications and will be responsible for skill and knowledge of project staff, adequacy of staff and the financial and professional performance of Grace Consulting personnel. The Project Manager serves as the focal point of quality assurance data objectives independent of Presidential management, but with direct access to his authority with regards to policy and/or resources. In summary, a GCI Project Manager:

  • Is ultimately responsible for the development and implementation of the Site Specific Test Plan;
  • Performs periodic surveillances of the Quality System
  • Serves as the primary quality management program point of contact with the customer;
  • Reviews practice and project specific quality procedures;
  • Periodically leads and reports on audits/assessments; and
  • Must be QSTI-qualified.
  • Assess the effectiveness of the Quality System.
  • Implements the Site Specific Test Plan;
  • Supervises the project team and verifies that the team implements the appropriate Site Specific Test Plan activities and customer quality requirements;
  • Checks that the project team members are sufficiently trained in order to maintain their skills and knowledge level;
  • Checks that staff is qualified and certified, as necessary, to perform their assignments;
  • Provides guidance and monitors implementation of applicable Quality Assurance requirements for project team; and
  • Assists in resolving Quality Assurance issues.
  • Equipment Standards

Test Equipment

It is Grace Consulting’s commitment to maintain and procure only the industry’s name brand equipment for use in the field or office.  GCI has access to all items of sampling, measurement, and test equipment required for the correct performance of the tests, or calibrations, or both (including sampling, preparation of test and/or calibration items, processing and analysis of test and/or calibration data). Before equipment is placed into service it is calibrated or checked to establish that it meets the specification requirements set forth by Grace Consulting and complies with the relevant standard specifications. Grace Consulting follows calibration intervals established by the relevant regulations and performs routine and preventative maintenance on all major sampling equipment and provides for the safe handling, transport, storage, use, and planned maintenance of measuring equipment to ensure proper functioning and prevent contamination or deterioration, in addition to method specific requirements which are required by reference methodologies. GCI takes precautions so that malfunctioning or inoperative equipment is not used in a test project. On the occasion where equipment does break down in the field, Grace Consulting personnel will have the necessary experience to perform on-site repairs of most problems. All equipment will be operated by authorized personnel.

Test Methods

Grace Consulting will only use test methods which meet the needs of our clients and are appropriate for the tests undertaken. Methods established in international, regional or national standards will be used as practicable. Only the latest valid edition of a method will be used unless it is not appropriate or possible to do so. When necessary, the method will be supplemented with additional details to ensure consistent application. Grace Consulting will inform our clients when the test method proposed is considered to be inappropriate or out of date.

For a list of specific QA documents, please click below.

STAC/A2LA AETB Accreditation  

Safety

Safety is the #1 concern in all Grace Consulting, Inc. operations. It is our policy and goal to provide a healthy, safe working environment, to abide by federal, state, and local standards, and to follow safe work practices.

Prior to bidding jobs, Grace Consulting, Inc. will conduct pre-job planning to assess what exact safety equipment is needed and purchase new equipment if necessary to complete the job safely. Accident prevention is considered of primary importance in all phases of operation and administration. GCI considers OSHA standards, guidelines and regulations as the minimum standards. We have trained Fall Protection – Competent Person individuals certified under OSHA 1926.503 & ANSI Z359.2-2007.

Safety Committee consisting of the Safety Manager and both Safety Coordinators has been established to assist in evaluating safety rules and regulations, reviewing incidents, identifying and recommending corrective measures and improvements for the safety program.

Safety training is provided and required for everyone at GCI, including management, which includes written materials, power points and job hazard analyses. Responsibility and accountability for safety is also assigned to all other supervisory personnel within their areas of operations. Safety to the worker, as well as to others engaged in the same operations, is not only dependent upon total commitment from management, but also on the individual workers themselves. All GCI personnel are expected to apply good sense and use safe practices while working on jobsites and at each GCI office location, while implementing all safe work policies. Grace Consulting, Inc.’s President, Supervisors, Managers, Crew Chiefs and full time employees are required to complete OSHA 10 Hour Safety Certification. The Safety Manager and Coordinators hold OSHA 30 Hour Safety Certification.

Setting the tone for safety at the beginning of each day makes a tremendous difference in keeping all employees safe. No employee will begin work before identifying the hazards, potential hazards and corrective measures to be used, for the task at hand. In the event an employee feels unsure of how to proceed in a safe and proper way, contact the Safety Coordinator, Safety Manager or Supervisor for specific instruction. GCI personnel on all jobsites and offices are expected to comply with the safety rules and regulations in effect at each site and perform their work in a safe manner. GCI will strive to ensure that the operations of other contractors not under our control do not endanger the safety of our employees. All employees are required to report any hazardous and unsafe activities to the appropriate GCI officials for correction.

It is our goal to strive for zero accidents and to be an industry leader in safety performance. A portion of profits for each project is allocated for the development and ongoing training with our safety program. Employees and management of Grace work together to achieve an overall exemplary level of safety. Our direction and progress towards being Accident Free has been well established and we are proud to report zero accidents for the past five years.

Grace Consulting, Inc. holds the highest safety rating possible with ISNetworld, MICCS and BROWZ, which are global resources for connecting corporations with safe, reliable contractors.

Safety Programs:

  • Injury and Illness Prevention Program
  • Code of Safe Work Practice
  • Housekeeping
  • Confined Spaces
  • Electrical Safety
  • Lockout/ Tagout
  • Employee Emergency Action Plan
  • Fire Protection/ Hot Work
  • Hand & Power Tools
  • Material Handling
  • Hearing Conservation
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Employee Environmental Protection
  • Ladder Safety
  • Scaffolds/ Aerial Lifts
  • Fall Protection
  • Hazardous Waste Operations
  • Spill Prevention
  • Process Safety Management
  • Asbestos/ Lead/ Mold Awareness
  • Bloodborne Pathogen
  • Site Specific Safety Plan
  • Drug-Free Workplace
  • Self Inspection Checklist

For the complete Health and Safety Manual, please click the box at the top right of this page.

OFFICES

Ohio • 510 Dickson Street, Wellington, OH 44090
North Carolina • 1855 Sipe Road, Conover, NC 28613
Indiana • 684 Tower Road, Plainfield, IN 46168

OFFICES

Ohio 
510 Dickson Street, Wellington, OH 44090
North Carolina
1855 Sipe Road, Conover, NC 28613
Indiana
684 Tower Road, Plainfield, IN 46168


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