Section 252.302. Qualifications of the laboratory supervisor

(a) A laboratory supervisor of an environmental laboratory engaged in chemical analysis shall have the following qualifications:

(1) A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, environmental science, biology, microbiology, physical sciences or engineering.

(2) At least 24-college semester credit hours in chemistry.

(3) At least 2 years of experience in the testing or analysis of environmental samples in representative inorganic and organic fields of accreditation for which the environmental laboratory seeks to obtain or to maintain accreditation. An earned master’s or doctoral degree in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, environmental science, biology, microbiology, physical sciences or engineering may be substituted for 1 year of experience.

(b) A laboratory supervisor of an environmental laboratory limited to inorganic chemical analysis, other than metals analysis, shall have the following qualifications:

(1) At least an earned associate’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, environmental science, biology, microbiology, physical sciences or engineering, or 2 years of equivalent and successful college education.

(2) At least 16-college semester credit hours in chemistry.

(3) At least 2 years of experience in the testing or analysis of environmental samples in representative fields of accreditation for which the environmental laboratory seeks to obtain or to maintain accreditation.

(c) A laboratory supervisor of an environmental laboratory engaged in microbiological or biological analysis shall have the following qualifications:

(1) A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, environmental science, biology, microbiology, physical sciences or engineering.

(2) At least 16-college semester credit hours in general microbiology or biology.

(3) At least 2 years of experience in the testing or analysis of environmental samples in representative microbiological or biological fields of accreditation for which the environmental laboratory seeks to obtain or to maintain accreditation. A master’s or doctoral degree in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, environmental science, biology, microbiology, physical sciences or engineering may be substituted for 1 year of experience.

(d) A laboratory supervisor of an environmental laboratory engaged in microbiological analysis limited to fecal coliform, total coliform and heterotrophic bacteria shall have the following qualifications:

(1) At least an associate’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, environmental science, biology, microbiology, physical sciences or engineering.

(2) A minimum of 4-college semester credit hours in biology.

(3) At least 2 years of equivalent and successful college education, including a minimum of 4-college semester credit hours in biology may be substituted for the associate’s degree.

(4) At least 2 years of experience in the testing or analysis of environmental samples in representative fields of accreditation for which the environmental laboratory seeks to obtain or to maintain accreditation.

(e) A laboratory supervisor of an environmental laboratory engaged in radiological analysis shall have the following qualifications:

(1) A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, environmental science, biology, microbiology, physical sciences or engineering.

(2) At least 24-college semester credit hours in chemistry.

(3) At least 2 years of experience in the testing or analysis of environmental samples in representative radiological fields of accreditation for which the environmental laboratory seeks to obtain or to maintain accreditation. An earned master’s or doctoral degree in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, environmental science, biology, microbiology, physical sciences or engineering may be substituted for 1 year of experience.

(f) A laboratory supervisor of an environmental laboratory engaged in microscopic examination of asbestos or airborne fibers shall have the following qualifications:

(1) For procedures requiring the use of a transmission electron microscope, a bachelor’s degree, successful completion of formal course work in the use of the instrument, and 1 year of experience, under supervision, in the use of the instrument. The experience must include the identification of minerals.

(2) For procedures requiring the use of a polarized light microscope, an associate’s degree or 2 years of college study, successful completion of formal coursework in polarized light microscopy, and 1 year of experience, under supervision, in the use of the instrument. The experience must include the identification of minerals.

(3) For procedures requiring the use of a phase contrast microscope, an associate’s degree or 1 year of college study, documentation of successful completion of formal coursework in phase contrast microscopy, and 1 year of experience, under supervision, in the use of the instrument.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a laboratory supervisor of an environmental laboratory limited to the basic nonpotable water category or the basic drinking water category, shall have the following qualifications:

(1) At least 16-college semester credit hours in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, environmental science, biology, microbiology, physical sciences or engineering.

(2) At least 2 years of experience in the testing or analysis of environmental samples in representative fields of accreditation for which the environmental laboratory seeks to obtain or to maintain accreditation.

(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an employee of a drinking water, wastewater or industrial waste treatment facility meeting the following requirements will be deemed qualified as a laboratory supervisor of an environmental laboratory:

(1) The employee holds a valid treatment plant operator’s certificate under the Water and Wastewater Systems Operators’ Certification Act (63 P. S. § § 1001—1015.1) in the appropriate water or wastewater subclassification for the facility.

(2) The employee holds a valid certificate under the Water and Wastewater Systems Operators’ Certification Act for laboratory supervisor in the appropriate water or wastewater subclassification.

(3) Until 12 months after a certificate under the Water and Wastewater Systems Operators’ Certification Act for laboratory supervisor in the appropriate water or wastewater subclassification becomes available from the Department, 2 years of experience performing testing or analysis of environmental samples using the methods and procedures currently in use by the environmental laboratory may be substituted for a laboratory supervisory certificate.

(i) Approval as a laboratory supervisor under subsection (h) will be limited to the fields of accreditation required by the scope of that facility’s regulatory permit.

The provisions of this § 252.302 amended April 9, 2010, effective April 10, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 1898. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (317258) to (317261).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 252.302 amended under 27 Pa.C.S. § § 4103(a), 4104 and 4105; and section 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 510-20).

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 252.303 (relating to grandfathering provisions for laboratory supervisors); 25 Pa. Code § 252.703 (relating to suspension); and 25 Pa. Code § 302.1006 (relating to laboratory supervisor certification).