Our 5th accredited site laboratory, a dedicated facility serving a major SANRAL roadworks project on the R56 Matatiela in the Eastern Cape, is our 2nd site lab to be accredited under a team lead by Senior Site Laboratory Manager Mr. Lethabo P Chuene.

As someone instrumental to both our first and most recent site laboratory accreditation, we wanted to find out how these processes have changed, what has remained the same and what he expects for the future.

How are things since you accredited N2 Nqadu?

Our N2 Nqadu site has been running smoothly since we obtained accreditation in 2022. The team has continued to uphold the high standards set during the accreditation process and has been successfully completing projects to the satisfaction of our clients.

The conclusion of the N2 Nqadu project was a significant milestone for us. It was a proud moment for the team. We celebrated the achievement and took the opportunity to learn from our experience to further improve our processes and performance in future projects.

What standards did you have to meet and how did you ensure compliance with these standards?

Like N2 Nqadu, R56 Matatiela had to meet ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. To ensure compliance, thorough training, quality control measures, and a robust management framework were established. 

I also brought in a few female candidates from the previous N2 Nqadu Site Lab. 

Ms. Asavela Dwenga (Lab Manager), Ms. Aletta Quka (Trainee Manager) and Ms. Thandokazi Maliphale (Senior Materials Tester) aimed to achieve accreditation within three months of the laboratory’s establishment. They succeeded, setting a new company record in the process.

How do you handle quality control measures to ensure that all testing procedures meet the required standards?

Quality control measures are essential to our operations, including regular calibration of equipment, proficiency testing programs any internal audits to ensure that all testing procedures meet the required standards. 

Our quality control team also conducts regular checks and reviews to identify any deviations and take 
corrective actions promptly.

Could you explain the training and development programs in place to ensure staff competency and compliance with ISO 17025 standards?

We prioritizes staff competency and we therefore have implemented a training and development program that includes regular sessions. 

Performance evaluations are conducted to assess staff competency and compliance with ISO 17025 standards. 

The training program involves comprehensive sessions, ongoing support, workshops and hands-on training to ensure staff competency and compliance. 

New employees undergo thorough training before they can independently perform testing procedures.

Can you discuss any collaborations or partnerships that have contributed to the success of accrediting the second site?

Our success in accrediting the second site is thanks to internal collaboration within Roadlab Group, partnerships with quality experts, and our main laboratory quality department, as well as ongoing communication with relevant personnel within the organization. 

These relationships have offered valuable insights, resources, and support during the accreditation process.

Can you share any examples of how  accreditation has positively impacted Roadlab’s operations or client relationships?

Our success in accrediting the second site is
attributed to internal collaboration within Roadlab Group, partnerships with quality experts, and our main laboratory quality department, as well as ongoing communication with relevant personnel within the organization. 

These relationships have offered valuable insights, resources, and support during the accreditation process

Congratulatons to Lethabo and the R56 Mataliela team!

Interested in our work? Reach out to us below!