MANUAL SAMPLING SYSTEM SERVICES

Industry standards specify sampling techniques for many different materials. Most of these techniques involve a manual method that specifies random selection of specific pieces of material according to defined criteria. Whether materials are in shiploads, trains, trucks, piles or bags, SGS’ trained sampling technicians show up with the right equipment, available to assist you in selecting among the many different sampling techniques.

In addition, where manual sampling is used, SGS often finds that a lack of proper procedure leads to poor performance of the sampling operation. SGS can perform technical audits and provide on-going maintenance to ensure the best possible sampling with the existing equipment.

Manual sampling involves collecting a representative sample in a manner that is consistent with a defined set of criteria.  Manual sampling can be monitored and controlled by:

• Tallying the number of increments collected from each lot
• Weighing the gross sample
• Calculating the mass collected per increment and comparing that mass to the minimum mass to be collected per increment for a material of that top size
• Comparing the number of collected increments to the minimum number to be collected
• Auditing the program to be sure the increments are collected from the appropriate locations and the proper type/dimensions of sampling devices are being used