Pete Unger takes us behind the curtain of the global laboratory accreditation system that quietly protects our everyday safety. With nearly five decades of experience, Pete reveals how a problem with redundant product testing in the 1970s sparked an international movement that revolutionized how we ensure quality in construction materials and beyond.

The conversation unravels the fascinating evolution of laboratory standards from early negotiations between the US and Denmark to today's sophisticated global network. Pete, who helped write the original ISO Guide 25 (predecessor to ISO/IEC 17025) and chaired ILAC for nine years, shares insider perspectives on how these systems developed and why they matter. His firsthand accounts of international diplomacy and standards development provide rare insights into a system most people never think about.

What makes this discussion particularly compelling is Pete's candid explanation of how accreditation prevents dangerous practices. He recounts troubling examples of laboratories that would test just one concrete cylinder but report values for three - shortcuts that could lead to catastrophic structural failures. These stories highlight the real-world importance of proper testing oversight, especially in construction where lives depend on accurate results.

The episode also demystifies complex topics like Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and Multilateral Agreements (MLAs), explaining how they facilitate international trade while maintaining quality standards. Pete's work with organizations like the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board demonstrates how these agreements eliminate redundant testing of products crossing borders, saving money without compromising safety.

Whether you work in quality assurance, construction, international trade, or simply care about the safety of the buildings and bridges you use daily, this conversation offers valuable perspective on the hidden systems that protect public safety. As Pete emphasizes, accreditation isn't about bureaucracy – it's about ensuring that when test results matter, they're reliable every time.

Send us a text

Have questions, comments, or want to be a guest on an upcoming episode? Email podcast@aashtoresource.org.

Related information on this and other episodes can be found at aashtoresource.org.

The digital revolution has reached the world of construction materials testing, and it's happening faster than many of us realize. In this eye-opening conversation with Mike Copeland, Quality Program Manager at the Idaho Department of Transportation, we explore the remarkable ways artificial intelligence is transforming how state DOTs handle testing data, quality assurance, and technical decision-making.

Mike shares his journey from struggling with data trapped in PDFs to developing sophisticated AI tools that now save his agency countless hours of manual work. We witness firsthand demonstrations of AI applications that extract testing data in seconds instead of hours, plot complex gyratory compactor data with simple drag-and-drop functionality, and even predict material properties with surprising accuracy. But this isn't just about efficiency—it's about reimagining what's possible.

Perhaps most valuable is our frank discussion about the double-edged nature of these powerful technologies. While AI offers unprecedented capabilities to streamline workflows and enhance decision-making, it also creates new vulnerabilities in our quality assurance systems. Mike explains how traditional approaches to sample custody and verification testing may need fundamental reconsideration as we enter an era where data itself requires security and verification.

Throughout our conversation, practical examples bring these concepts to life: an AI chatbot that instantly answers technical questions about specifications while identifying conflicts between manuals; tools that transform handwritten test sheets into structured data without error-prone manual entry; and exploratory models that challenge our assumptions about which physical tests are truly necessary.

Whether you're already experimenting with AI or just beginning to consider its implications for materials testing, this episode provides both inspiration and caution from someone at the leading edge of this technological transformation. Join us to discover how these tools might reshape your own testing program while maintaining the integrity that ensures public safety in our infrastructure.

Send us a text

Have questions, comments, or want to be a guest on an upcoming episode? Email podcast@aashtoresource.org.

Related information on this and other episodes can be found at aashtoresource.org.

Steve Read, retiring after 20 years with the City of Seattle, shares his experience as a materials engineer and insights on leadership, quality management, and cross-agency coordination. He discusses his journey from heavy-equipment operator to materials lab supervisor and the importance of developing communication skills in technical professionals.

Whether you work in construction, engineering, public administration, or simply drive on public roads, this conversation offers valuable perspective on the hidden complexities behind public infrastructure and the dedicated professionals working to ensure it serves the public for generations to come.

Send us a text

Have questions, comments, or want to be a guest on an upcoming episode? Email podcast@aashtoresource.org.

Related information on this and other episodes can be found at aashtoresource.org.