How Many Lab Technicians Does It Take to Analyze a Sample?

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

How many lab technicians does it take to analyze a sample?

While this may sound like the setup to a bad joke, it has real implications for the management of laboratories. The laboratory function at process plants, like all services, strives to meet the requirements of the operating units (in this case, timely analysis of process material) at a minimum cost. Since labor costs are typically one of the larger expenditures for a lab, efficient utilization of manpower is a key concern.

Beville has analyzed the workload and staffing of a number of labs across North America. The goal is to establish a staffing model that best matches personnel to a workload that varies (1) over the course of a shift, (2) between day and night, and (3) between weekdays and weekends. A recent study revealed that the lab had over six technicians more than it needed for the volume of work they were performing. In a different study, it was shown that a good portion of the $25K/month in samples sent to third-party labs could be handled in-house.

If you would like to determine if your lab is properly staffed, contact us (sphelps@beville.com).  

Copyright 2022 Beville Operator Performance Specialists, Inc.