AWWA WQTC60644

Ethics is an important part of a quality control program for a water quality laboratory. In the United States, the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program requires that laboratories have an ethics program in place. In the case of American Water, company policies and procedures for conducting business in a lawful and ethical manner were also a driving force for implementation of an ethics program. There are many facets to an ethics program. Items that should be covered for any business ethics program include conflicts of interest, inside information, preferential treatment, accounting records and control, environmental health and safety, and prohibition against discrimination or harassment. In addition, a laboratory ethics program should cover data integrity. Data integrity topics include employee training and documentation of that training, QC requirements, proper integration and manual integration techniques, calibration guidelines, manual and on-line data review, and data recall procedures. After implementation of an ethics program, ongoing upkeep of the program is important. This should include an annual refresher course as well as a signed statement by employees that they understand and will follow the requirements of the program. Includes 7 references.