Quality Assurance and Quality Control
The goal of KERNTEC Industries, Inc. is to guarantee the most accurate findings, conclusions, and recommendations possible, and provide all clients, investors and associates with the highest quality product reasonably allowed.
Quality assurance involves planned and systematic actions necessary to provide confidence in each work product developed by KERNTEC. KERNTEC's QA/QC program has two components: Quality Assurance (QA) - the system used to verify that the work product is being performed within reasonably acceptable limits, and Quality Control (QC) - the mechanisms used to establish that the work product meets acceptable industry standards of care, development and consistency.
QA/QC Procedures
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPS) - SOPs for relevant field assignments are developed, reviewed and updated to reflect standard practices performed by staff.
TRAINING - KERNTEC's staff are fully trained to perform the tasks expected of them, and entry-level staff perform their duties under the guidance and care of a mentor and staff principal. Staff meet performance criteria before performing work for a client and only perform work within their areas of competency.
RELIABLE AND WELL-MAINTAINED EQUIPMENT - Each field instrument used by KERNTEC's trained staff will be operated according to manufacturer's guidelines and in accordance with relevant SOPs, maintained in acceptable working condition, and fully calibrated to function within manufacturer's tolerances given site specific conditions. Maintenance-calibration logbooks are kept for each instrument and are available for review upon request.
TRACEABILITY - Each work product is appropriately referenced, cataloged, and filed ensuring that KERNTEC's work product is traceable and adequately referenced for reproduciblity by others.
PEER REVIEW OF WORK PRODUCT - KERNTEC's work product is reviewed by peers to establish a clear and concise presentation of data, and evaluated for acceptable standards within the industry. Work product submitted by KERNTEC is often co-signed by a reviewing principal.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS - Engineering and science are important and learned professions. As members of these professions, KERNTEC's staff are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity. These professions have a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by KERNTEC require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of public health, safety and welfare. KERNTEC's staff perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct.
KERNTEC's Canons - In the fulfillment of their professional duties, KERNTEC's staff shall:
1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue client and/or public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act for each client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of their profession and their employer.