Fibres Proficiency Testing Steering Committee (FPTSC)
Introduction
The Fibres Proficiency Testing Steering Committee (FPTSC)
oversees the UK operations of the Regular Inter-laboratory Counting
Exchange (RICE), the Asbestos in Materials Scheme (AIMS), the
Asbestos in Soils Scheme (AISS) and the Scanning Electron
Microscopy Fibre Counting Scheme (SEMS) on behalf of HSE. The FPTSC
reports directly to the Chair of HSE's Committee on Fibre
Measurement (CFM). The Committee also discusses developments in
other related HSE committees and working groups and feedback from
the UKAS Technical Advisory Committee.
The Role of the Fibres Proficiency Testing Steering
Committee
The role of the FPTSC is to provide technical advice to HSL on
matters relating to HSE's asbestos proficiency testing schemes AIMS
and RICE.
In particular its purpose includes providing technical advice on
the following:
Membership
The Chair of FPTSC is appointed by the Committee on Fibre
Measurement. FPTSC members are invited by HSL/HSE. They are
selected on the basis of having the necessary technical knowledge
and expertise to contribute to the work of the committee and, when
relevant, for their ability to act as a representative of their
organisation, sector or other interest. FPTSC members represent a
range of stakeholder interests including HSE Testing and
monitoring, UKAS, accredited laboratories & independent
asbestos experts. Membership is reviewed by HSE Testing and
monitoring in conjunction with the Chair at least every three
years. Members are required to exercise discretion in respect of
information received in the course of their duties as FPTSC members
and to treat as confidential any information so marked or related
in confidence.
HSE Testing and monitoring provides the Committee Secretary.
View the current membership
Example of
Agenda
Proceedings
The FPTSC currently meets approximately every 6 months.
Provisional dates are normally set at the previous meeting.
The FPTSC may from time to time, establish sub-committees in
order to undertake projects within its terms of reference in
specific areas of asbestos proficiency testing
activity. The sub-committees may co-opt members from
outside the FPTSC membership. The FPTSC will select the
Chair of the sub-committees from within its membership and an HSE
Testing and monitoring staff member will act as secretary to each
sub-committee.
At the invitation of the Chair, and with the agreement of HSE
Testing and monitoring, other parties may attend meetings of the
FPTSC. On such occasions the meeting notes shall clearly state the
affiliations of the invited participants.
Further information
Should you require any further information, please email: proficiency.testing@hse.gov.uk
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