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Oak Ridge lab accredited to analyze air, surfaces for COVID-19 virus

Posted at 12:36 pm August 3, 2020
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Edward Sobek, president of Assured Bio Labs LLC reviews COVID-19 analysis systems before the processing of samples. (Submitted photo)

An environmental microbiology laboratory in Oak Ridge is the first in the United States to receive accreditation to analyze air and surfaces for the presence of the virus that causes COVID-19, a press release said.

Assured Bio Labs LLC was granted accreditation for testing environmental air and surfaces for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s Laboratory Accreditation Program, the press release said. AIHA announced the accreditation in a tweet on June 25.

As businesses bring employees back to work, COVID-19 data for touch points and air is essential to protect workers and the public, the press release said. Accreditation ensures the quality of laboratory analysis.

“Since March, we have been running samples for local municipalities and for New York City essential businesses in the financial district,” said Edward A. Sobek, president of Assured Bio Labs LLC. In April, the lab began providing COVID-19 surface and air testing for health care facilities in the Northeast as they converted COVID-19 patient rooms into standard rooms.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, COVID-19, Front Page News, Health, Health, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: accreditation, AIHA, American Industrial Hygiene Association, Assured Bio Labs, COVID-19, Edward Sobek, SARS-CoV-2, surface and air testing

ORISE beryllium lab recertified by College of American Pathologists for 6th consecutive time in 10 years

Posted at 8:02 am June 14, 2019
By Amy Schwinge Leave a Comment

Lab increases capacity to meet more demand

The College of American Pathologists, or CAP, has accredited the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Energy beryllium laboratory in Oak Ridge for the sixth time since the laboratory’s first accreditation in 2009.

The laboratory is one of only three labs nationwide that performs the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test. This test determines if a patient has developed a sensitization to beryllium, which could evolve into chronic beryllium disease. Exposure to the lightweight metal is often encountered by inhaling beryllium dust particulates in an industrial workplace setting.

The biannual CAP accreditation process requires an onsite inspection of all procedures and processes as well as the laboratory’s records, a press release said. During this process, inspectors thoroughly examine staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and its records, and overall management. They follow lab personnel through each stage, from unpacking the blood specimens through the processing of these samples to the final analysis to determine if any of the samples show a sensitization to beryllium, the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Health, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: accreditation, beryllium lab, beryllium laboratory, beryllium testing lab, College of American Pathologists, Donna Cragle, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, ORISE

Oak Ridge Police Department earns accreditation from TLEA

Posted at 10:41 pm June 13, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Police Department has been accredited by the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. ORPD was awarded this achievement during the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police meeting held in Franklin, Tenn., on May 29, 2019. Pictured above are Oak Ridge Police Chief Robin Smith, left, and Lt. John Kelly, who led the accreditation effort. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Police Department has been accredited by the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. ORPD was awarded this achievement during the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police meeting held in Franklin, Tennessee, on May 29, a press release said.

To achieve accreditation with TLEA, an agency voluntarily submits to a three-year process of enhancing the agency’s professionalism and effectiveness using 160 law enforcement standards and participating in a thorough on-site assessment, the press release said.

The standards evaluate an agency’s policies that address a variety of areas including organizational, operational, and budget management practices, the release said.

“The program is intended to encourage cooperation, recognize professional standing, develop professional services, and ensure public safety throughout the State of Tennessee,” the press release said. “The TLEA program is a valuable and cost-effective way to enhance overall agency effectiveness and professionalism.”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: accreditation, John Kelly, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD, Randy Brackins, Randy Evans, Robin Smith, Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, TLEA

Honors: Oak Ridge firefighter receives national accreditation

Posted at 2:11 am July 20, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Kerry Osborne

Kerry Osborne

The Center for Public Safety Excellence has notified Captain Kerry Osborne of the Oak Ridge Fire Department that he has received national accreditation as a fire officer.

The Center for Public Safety Excellence Inc., or CPSE, is a nonprofit organization that, for more than a decade, has helped local public safety agencies around the world streamline and improve the services they provide their communities, a press release said. Through its individual commissions, CPSE provides programs that include accreditation for fire and emergency service agencies and professional designations for senior-level fire and emergency service officers.

The press release said Osborne has worked in the emergency services field for more than 21 years and has been with the ORFD since 2007, serving as a captain since 2012. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Honors and Spotlight, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire Tagged With: accreditation, Center for Public Safety Excellence, CPSE, Darryl Kerley, emergency services, fire, fire instructor, fire officer, Josh Waldo, Kerry Osborne, Oak Ridge Fire Chief, paramedic

Oak Ridge fire officers receive national accreditation

Posted at 11:00 am August 25, 2013
By City of Oak Ridge Leave a Comment

Darryl Kerley

Darryl Kerley

Josh Waldo

Josh Waldo

The Center for Public Safety Excellence recognized four officers of the Oak Ridge Fire Department for their national accreditation at the Fire Rescue International Conference-CPSE annual Accreditation banquet in Chicago this month.

Fire Chief Darryl Kerley and Assistant Fire Chief Josh Waldo have been approved for the designation of chief fire officer. Kerley has held the designation of chief fire officer, or CFO, since 2004 and was notified that his designation has been renewed. He is required to renew his CFO designation every three years and submit a package outlining his career progress for the past three years to ensure he is continuing to work toward professional excellence through continued education, training, and community service. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: accreditation, Center for Public Safety Excellence, CFO, chief fire officer, CPSE, Darryl Kerley, Josh Waldo, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge fire officers

College of American Pathologists renews accreditation of beryllium laboratory managed by ORAU

Posted at 11:55 am July 18, 2013
By Oak Ridge Associated Universities Leave a Comment

The College of American Pathologists, or CAP, has renewed its accreditation of the Beryllium Laboratory managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

Located in Oak Ridge, the laboratory is one of only four in the United States certified to perform the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test. This test helps to determine if a person has developed sensitization to beryllium, which could evolve into chronic beryllium disease also known in the past as berylliosis. Inquiries regarding the test and how to access lab services can be sent to [email protected]. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Oak Ridge Associated Universities Tagged With: accreditation, berylliosis, beryllium, beryllium laboratory, beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test, CAP, CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, chronic beryllium disease, College of American Pathologists, Donna Cragle, Linda Nichols, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, ORAU, U.S. Department of Energy

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Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

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