Microbiological & Chemical Sampling Plans & Interpretation of Results

NEW FOR 2027

Details

City & Guilds accredited

ONE-DAY COURSE:  9.00am – 5pm

Lunch and refreshments provided

Printed delegate materials provided

WHO FOR:

This course is based around all different sampling techniques from total viable counts, to more specifically Legionella, Pseudomonas, E. coli and coliforms, including a brief overview of chemical sampling. It is designed for those who are required to design and implement sampling plans, both initially and during investigation processes, and who then handle, interpret and report micro-bacteriological results to end users. It will cover the three main areas connected with sampling: firstly designing sample plans and an overview of carrying out the sampling procedure, followed by designing specifications and controls where no fixed standards exist, through to interpretation of results and communication of those to the end user. 

The course is designed for Technicians and Contract Managers who wish to further develop their knowledge around sampling requirements, and Authoring Engineers (Water), Responsible Persons/Dutyholders and those that give guidance to end users on sampling and how to react to results.  It is also invaluable to end users who control water hygiene on their site and need to react to out of specification results. Students should have a good understanding of water hygiene within the water systems within their remit and, ideally, already have active involvement in sampling regimes. It is important to note that this is not a practical course on how to undertake sampling in the field, that is covered under W279 Practical Microbiological and Chemical Sampling Techniques.

PRE-COURSE PREPARATION:

Students should attend W259 Inspection, Monitoring & Sampling Tasks for Hot & Cold Water Systems to HSG274 Part 2 or W279 Practical Microbiological and Chemical Sampling Techniques course or have equivalent practical monitoring and sampling knowledge. This is not a course for candidates who have just started out in their monitoring and sampling career.

OBJECTIVES:

A classroom based course to:

• Outline the requirements for developing a suitable and effective sampling plan and what documents and competencies you will need to rely on for this. 
• Explain how samples should be taken.
• Explain how samples are processed at the lab to produce the final results. 
• Explain how out of specification results should be interpreted and guidance given to users of the water concerned. 

The first three topics will be provided via an interactive PowerPoint presentation. However, the final aspect of interpretation and guidance is multi-facetted and does not necessarily have a binary right or wrong answer. This process will be delivered using scenario based examples and group exercises to devise a remedial action plan around each scenario discussed. This will cover Legionella and Pseudomonas specifically. Therefore, candidates should be prepared for the course to be very interactive and that they will be required to be collaborative and provide their contributions to the discussions arising on the day.

TOPICS COVERED:

• The law and guidance behind sampling
  
• Developing a credible and effective sampling plan
  
• How samples are handled and tested within the lab environment
  
• Interpreting all results, including out of specification results
  
• Providing guidance to Responsible Persons and Dutyholders
  
• Developing plausible short and long term action plans 

ASSESSMENT:

60 minute written exam with 70% pass mark.  This will encompass the skills learned during the course, the scenarios reviewed, and will include use of your discussed justifications from the scenario based examples and group exercises in your final answers. 

A resit is possible for anyone failing the exam for an additional fee within 3 months of notification of results from the original course.  The maximum grade awarded for a resit will be a pass.

6 CPD points awarded.

Electronic certificates will be sent directly to successful students to the email address we hold on file.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

FURTHER STUDY:

W203 An appreciation of Hot & Cold Water Systems (online course)
W259 Inspection, Monitoring & Sampling Tasks for Hot & Cold Water Systems to HSG274 Part 2  
W279 Practical Microbiological and Chemical Sampling Techniques