Purpose:
Recording the number of containers submitted for each sample allows the lab to confirm that all containers have been received. The lab can often times determine if an analysis request was missed on the COC based on the containers in the cooler. Also for defensibility, the samples listed on the COC should match those included in the final report.
Process:
Bureau Veritas Laboratories reviews the number of containers submitted for each sample against what was received. When there is an extra bottle or sample with no corresponding analytical request, you are contacted. In some cases, the extra bottle is a replicate bottle (ex 1 of 3 containers) and the lab can proceed as instructed on the COC.
Helpful Tips for Cooler Packing:
- Cross check the number of samples and number of containers that go into the cooler with the COC
- If submitting QC samples, be sure to list them on the COC
- Blanks including field and trip blanks
- Duplicates
- Extra samples for disposal only should be packed separately from samples requiring analysis
- Remember to mark samples on Hold, as an analysis on the COC