FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1: PLM LAB SCREENING
Accreditation Is your lab NVLAP-accredited? Do you participate in AIHA's round robin program? Do you participate in an inter-laboratory round robin program? Personnel How many PLM analysts does your lab have? How long have each been with the lab? What percentage of each analyst's time is spent on PLM analysis? Where were each trained? Who is your laboratory supervisor? Can this person perform PLM analysis? Equipment How many stereo microscopes do you have? How many PLM scopes and HEPA fume hoods? For the busiest shift, what's the highest analyst to PLM scope ratio? What reference standards for asbestos and non-asbestos do you have? What index of refraction liquids do you have? Sample Production How many samples does an analyst complete per 8-hour day on the average? Do you require a certain number of samples to be analyzed per day, per analyst? What percentage of samples are reanalyzed for QC? Does the same analyst or a different person do the QC? How are floor tile, tar and paint samples analyzed?		How long will it take to analyze 50 TSI samples? How long will it take to get verbal results? How long will it take to get final results (on paper)? Do you have the ability to provide sample results on disk? Storage/Disposal Tracking How long are client samples stored at your lab? How and where are they stored? How are they disposed of? Describe your sample tracking program? Quality Control Describe your lab's QC program? How often do you check for contamination of lab tools/supplies? How often do you calibrate refractive index liquids? How frequently do you check your scope alignment? Service/Pricing What are your labs office hours? Is the lab open on weekends? How does your lab handle off-hour emergency analysis? Do you have a written price per sample schedule? Do you charge per layer? What is your price for same day turnaround? What is your price for 24-hour turnaround? What is your price for normal turnaround? Do you offer a volume discount?