Laboratory Testing Protocol in Response to COVID-19
Sample Receiving & Collection Policy | Additional Measures | Critical Infrastructure for Public Health | Frequently Asked Questions
Environmental testing laboratories are considered essential to public health and environmental safety during the COVID-19 emergency and are within the essential activities excepted from the shelter-in-place directives provided by local public health officials. – https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/elap-covid19/
Babcock Laboratories, Inc. proudly provides essential water testing for more than two million people living and working in the Inland Empire and Southern California. Our mission is to safeguard the public health and the environment through the laboratory services we perform.
We have never wavered from our commitment to safeguard our community, and as such the safety of our clients and our dedicated employee-owners is of the utmost importance. To continue testing operations vital to the public health while ensuring the safety of our clients and staff, we are adhering to our Covid-19 protocols and ask you to support us in following those procedures.
Sample Receiving AND COLLECTION POLICY- Updated May 12, 2020
We ask for your assistance in preventing the spread of this novel coronavirus by ensuring that all persons visiting our facilities:
Observe the recommended 6-foot-distancing- at this time we request all customers wait in their vehicles until they can be assisted in our receiving area, one person at a time.
Practice hand sanitizing - all people utilizing the sample receiving area are required to use hand sanitizer before unloading samples and signing chain-of-custody forms.
Stay clear of restricted access areas.
Please note that our staff continue to wear standard lab protective equipment (PPE), and our routine personal and facility sanitizing practices have been enhanced to occur with increased frequency.
Our field staff are observing any special requests that have been made regarding sample pick-ups and access to your facility. Additionally, field technicians will wear protective gear, and observe proper sanitation and physical distancing practices. We firmly ask you to respect the enhanced safety measures of our field professionals to protect their health and yours.
ADDITIONAL MITIGATION MEASURES TAKEN DUE TO COVID-19
In the current climate of concern over Coronavirus (COVID-19), we wanted to provide an outline of additional efforts we have made to continue to support your organization.
The health and safety of our customers and our employee-owners is our first priority. To prioritize individual protection we have taken steps which include:
Enhanced daily cleaning and sanitation practices
Increased use of laboratory personal protective equipment
Increased staff communication regarding virus prevention tips
HR adherence to internal sick, meeting, and travel policies
Continued monitoring of CDC website & guidelines
We have created an operational plan to ensure continued ability to provide you with critical water quality testing. Areas which this plan addresses include:
Staffing levels and cross-training for priority analyses
Staggering of staff scheduled to ensure coverage while reducing exposure
Inventory and supplier preparedness
Technology and VPN capacity for remote access
Client use of website portal and online access to data
Continued re-evaluation of COVID-19 situation and the plan
We want to reassure you of our continuing commitment to our shared responsibility to protect the public health. Protecting the health and safety of our employee-owners is critical to providing these vital services to our communities. We thank you for your support and cooperation.
Critical Infrastructure for Public Health
Babcock Labs is an environmental laboratory providing critical drinking water and wastewater testing services to ensure protection of the public health and safety.
Babcock Labs has active contracts with municipal water systems, water districts, and sanitation agencies. Under these contracts Babcock Labs is contractually obligated to continue to provide materials, equipment, and services critical to water and wastewater operations.
Under Governor Gavin Newsom’s statewide shelter-in-place executive order N-33-20, dated March 19, 2020, vendors are permitted to travel in order to provide for the operation and maintenance of critical infrastructure. (Reference https://www.cisa.gov/critical-infrastructure-sectors.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you operating and doing all normal pick-ups and sampling?
Yes, our laboratory is performing all regular testing. Field department and courier services are uninterrupted and operational. Babcock Labs is a critical service sector business, providing analytical testing that safeguards the public health and the environment. Our employee-owners are dedicated to providing essential testing services.
Are your hours of operation changing?
Not at this time. Our normal business hours, M-F 8:00 am-5:00 pm, are being maintained.
In the event of any change in hours or service in the future, how will we know?
We are communicating with clients and the community via a number of methods including email, blog post, and website. If circumstances necessitate a change in operations and business hours, you will be notified by email.
How are you planning to maintain operations if staff are unable to come to work?
The Technical Director, Lab Director, and operations managers have identified internal cross coverage options for short hold time and other high volume tests where subcontracting is not an option. Specifically, this includes our microbiology and wet chemistry departments. Priority is being given to coverage for the microbiology department since coliform bacteria testing is the most critical in terms of ensuring a stable and safe water supply. For other longer holding-time analyses, we've contacted other environmental laboratories and made arrangements for mutual support should subcontracting become a necessity due to staffing challenges.
What are you doing to protect your employees and any of my staff that come in contact with Babcock staff?
In sample receiving we have implemented a delivery policy consistent with the CDC guidelines on social distancing and sanitation of hands and equipment. We are asking our clients to observe these new protocols.
Our Field staff are observing any facility specific request that have been made regarding site access and safety for sample pick-ups and building access. Additional, field technicians are wearing protective gear and observing proper sanitation practices and social distancing.
Internally we have instituted a facility sanitation program to ensure all common surfaces and fixtures are sanitized every 2-3 hours.
What is Babcock Labs doing to make sure you don’t run out of supplies?
The Babcock Labs purchasing staff are working with our vendors to make sure they will be able to provide the supplies we need for your testing. At this time, there are no supplier interruptions, however, we are increasing our inventories by 15-20% on high volume critical items in the event of any shipping delays.
News & Updates
Would you like to speak with us directly?
Contact us at today at 951-653-3351 or info@babcocklabs.com.