#5357 - 04 -2011 - FINAL

To be attached to all inspection reports in-house only.
Laboratory Cert. #:
Laboratory Name:
Inspection Type:
Inspector Name(s):
Inspection Date:
Date Report Completed:
Date Forwarded to Reviewer:
5357
North Carolina Granite Coro.
Field Maintenance
Chet Whiting
Aoril 20, 2011
May 17, 2011
May 17, 2011
Reviewed by: Jason Smith
Date Review Completed:
Cover Letter to use: _ Insp. Initial
Unit Supervisor: C
Date Received:
Date Forwarded to Alberta: 6/1/2011
Mav 27, 2011
Insp. Reg
r Francis
5/27/2011
_ Insp. No Finding _ Insp. CP X Corrected

Dee Freeman
Secretary
June 1, 2011
5357
Mr. David Vernon
North Carolina Granite Corp.
P.O. Box 151
Mount Airy, NC 27030
SUBJECT: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC)
Maintenance Inspection
Enclosed is a report for the inspection performed on April 20, 2011 by Chet Whiting. No findings are cited in
this report, a response is not required. We appreciate the fine job you and your staff are doing. As a
certification requirement, your laboratory must continue to carry out the requirements set forth in 15A NCAC
2H .0800.
Copies of the checklists completed during the inspection may be requested from this office. Thank you for your
cooperation during the inspection. If you wish to obtain an electronic copy of this report by email, or if you have
questions or need additional information please contact me at 828-296-4677.
Sincerely,
Gary Francies
Unit Supervisor
Laboratory Section
CC Chet Whiting
Gary Francies
Master File
DENR DWQ Laboratory Section NC WastewaterlGroundwater Laboratory Certification Branch One
1623 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1623 NofthCarohna
Location: 4405 Reedy Creek Road. Raleigh, North Carolina 27607-6445
Rhone: 919-733-3908 \ FAX: [phone]
Internet: www.dwglab.org
An Equal.Opporunity\Affirmative Action Employer Customer Service:1-877-623-6748 www.ncwaterquality.org

LABORATORY NAIVE:
NPDES PERMIT #:
ADDRESS:
CERTIFICATE #:
DATE OF INSPECTION:
TYPE OF INSPECTION:
AUDITOR(S):
LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED:
MS `
North Carolina Granite Corp.
NCG02000
P.O. Box 151
Mount Airy, NC 27030
5357
April 20, 2011
Field Maintenance
Chet Whiting
David Vernon
This laboratory was inspected to verify its compliance with the requirements of 15A NCAC 2H .0800 for
the analysis of environmental samples.
H. GENERAL COMMENTS:
The facility is neat and well organized and has all the equipment necessary to perform the analyses.
Benchsheets are well designed, easy to follow and concise. Records are well organized and easy to
retrieve.
Documentation
Comment: At the time of the inspection the laboratory needed to increase the documentation of
materials and reagents. The Quality Assurance Policies for Field Laboratories document states: All
chemicals, reagents, standards and consumables used by the laboratory must have the following
information documented: Date Received, Date Opened (in use), Vendor, Lot Number, and Expiration
Date. A system (e.g., traceable identifiers) must be in place that links standard/reagent preparation
information to analytical batches in which the solutions are used. Documentation of solution
preparation must include the analyst's initials, date of preparation, the volume or weight of standard(s)
used, the solvent and final volume of the solution. This information as well as the vendor,
manufacturer, lot number, and expiration date must be retained for chemicals, reagents, standards and
consumables used for a period of five years. Consumable materials such as pH buffers and lots of pre -
made standards are included in this requirement Notification of acceptable corrective action was
received in an e-mail on 5/6//2011 stating that the beach sheet had been updated to include required
traceability. This requirement is a new policy that has been implemented by our prograra since the last
inspection. No further response is necessary for this finding
Comment: At the time of the inspection, Proficiency Testing (PT) samples were not documented in the
same manner as routine environmental samples. The Quality Assurance Policies for Field Laboratories
document states: The analysis of PT samples is designed to evaluate the entire process used to

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#5357 North Carolina Granite Corp.
routinely report environmental analytical results-, therefore, PT samples must be analyzed and the
process documented in the same manner as environmental samples. Notification of acceptable
corrective action was received in an e-mail on 5/6//2011 stating that PT samples would be documented
on benchsheets in the same manner as samples. This requirement is a new policy that has been
implemented by our program since the last inspection. No further response is necessary for this
finding
s Standard Methods,th • !!
Comment: The temperature sensing device on the pH meter had not been calibrated against an NIST
certified or traceable thermometer annually (every 12 months) and the correction was not posted. The
Technical Assistance for Field Analysis of pH states: All temperature sensing devices on meters must
be calibrated against a NIST certified or NIST traceable thermometer annually (every 12 months) and
proper corrections made and documented. The meter reading must be less than 1°C from the NIST
certified reading to be acceptable. Document the serial number and manufacturer of the NIST
thermometer that was used in the comparison. Document any correction that applies (even if zero) on
both the meter and on a separate sheet to be filed. Notification of acceptable corrective action was
received in an e-mail on 5/5/2011 with a copy of the current calibration. No further response is
necessary for this finding
Recommendation: The laboratory has been obtaining a new pH pocket pen meter annually. The
temperature sensor verification of the pH meter was due on April 9, 2011. The new meter was verified on
May 4, 2011. Any samples analyzed in the interim would have not met certification program
requirements. It is recommended that the purchase of new meters is coordinated so that all samples are
analyzed with a meter with a properly verified temperature sensor.
No paper trail was perform ed
MIIIINNZHNRs.
All findings noted during the inspection were adequately addressed prior to the completion of this
report. The inspector would like to thank the staff for its assistance during the inspection and data review
process. No response is required.
Report prepared by: Chet Whiting Date: May 17, 2011
Report reviewed by: Jason Smith Date: May 27, 2011