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SAM-202

Chemicals, solid
Sampling

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Chemicals, solid
Definition Miscellaneous chemicals, chemical products and preparations in solid form, including fertilisers, organic and inorganic compounds; colorants and pigments; surface-active agents, washing and lubricating preparations, plastic and rubber in the primary form, etc.; any unknown chemical preparations and waste/loose products.

For products in individual packs see specific card for ‘Retail Sale Packages and final articles’.
For pastes see specific card for ‘Wax’.
For liquids see specific card for ‘Petroleum liquids’.

Certain chemicals should not be sampled because of their highly dangerous properties; see the General section, link. If in doubt consult your laboratory.


Chemicals, solid
Recommended minimum quantity for each sample 100 g
EN/ISO standards and regulations specific to chemicals, solid
  • ISO 10725 Acceptance sampling plans and procedures for the inspection of bulk materials.
  • ISO 11648-1 Statistical aspects of sampling from bulk material — Part 1. General principles.
  • ISO 11648-2 Statistical aspects of sampling from bulk material — Part 2. Sampling of particulate materials.
  • ISO 3165 Sampling of chemical products for industrial use — Safety in sampling.

Legislation (technical standards or specifications): please refer to your national legislation and national guidelines regarding sampling.


Equipment needed
Suggested sampling tool depending on the method used
  • Probe with cylindrical closed shape with holes, special for bulk quantities (S01-01).
  • Probe with open shape subdivided into sections (S02-01).
  • Shovels, blades with handles (S03-01).
  • Probe with open shape (pelican).
  • Probe, ‘Nobbe’-type, single tube with a conical point, 10 mm diameter and oval opening along the lateral surface.
Sample dividing equipment:
  • Device for subdivision into quadrants (quartering method).
  • Rotary cone sample divider (Boerner type).
  • Sample divider using multiple grooves.
Containers to be used for the sampling The containers must be made of a material suitable for the safe storage of chemicals, and should be sealed to prevent leakage or the absorption of moisture.
  • Plastic bags, different sizes, with or without pre-printed label (P00).
  • Plastic bottles, various sizes (P01, P03, P04)
  • Metal cans, large size (M01).
  • Glass bottles, air-tight.G01).
Sample containers must be clean and free from all substances which might contaminate the material being sampled (such as water, dirt, lint, washing compounds, naphtha and other solvents, soldering fluxes, acids, rust, and oil).

Samples where the moisture content may affect the analysis, e.g. hygroscopic substances, must be packed in moisture-tight containers with an air-tight closure. The container must be filled completely and sealed afterwards to prevent any change in the moisture content.

Safety precautions and risk assessment Please refer to your national legislation and guidelines on health and safety.

Remember
  • Some products must not be sampled because of their extremely hazardous properties; (link).
  • Some products (listed here) should only be sampled by authorised personnel (e.g. a contractor).

  • See SDS or ADR if available.
  • Pay attention to safety and warning signs.
  • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
  • You should be aware of and follow any health and safety instructions in the local risk assessment and/or safe working practices for the location where the sampling is to take place.
Hazardous situations may occur when:
  • Sampling moving goods — loading equipment, conveyors, trucks, and other equipment may pose a hazard during sample collection.
  • Opening pressurised containers (the pressure must be safely relieved).
    • You must not attempt to open pressurised containers that may explode if opened incorrectly.
    • During routine examination, ask the declarant to open the kegs and draw the sample.
    • The opening should be loosened slowly with a non-sparking tool.
  • Entering hazardous (inaccessible or confined) areas.
  • Handling with the hazardous materials, e.g.:
    • Flammable substances (e.g. coal, some organic compounds).
    • Oxidizing substances (e.g. oxidising acids and their salts).
    • Toxic substances (e.g. cyanides, mercury-containing compounds, nitrates).
    • Corrosive substances and irritants (e.g. strong acids and alkalis, their salts).
For general precautions see EN ISO 3165 for general information.

Personal protective equipment:
  • Hand protection: made of material resistant to chemicals and gauntlets.
  • Eye protection: safety goggles, masks or a face shield (if necessary).
  • Respiratory protection: with appropriate filter for small particles and vapours (if necessary).
  • Body protection: safety clothing, chemically resistant, flame-retardant and antistatic type (if necessary).
  • Safety helmets, ear protectors and a safety belt: (if necessary).

Sampling plan
Type of consignment Sampling plan
Bulk products In the case of bulk products transported (or stored) loose, equal quantities of incremental samples are taken from five or more positions throughout the bulk consignment by random selection or systematically.

Chemicals being moved One aggregate sample: from incremental samples throughout the whole diameter of the stream, with intervals determined by the moving speed.

Bulk products in packages Chemicals in barrels, drums, cans, and similar small hand containers: you must ensure that the goods being checked consist of a single consignment. If there are several consignments, they should be identified separately. An aggregate sample may be formed only from packages from the same lot contained in the same consignment.

Equal quantities of incremental samples are taken from different transport packages found at different positions in the transport vehicle or in the storage facility by random selection or systematically.


Detailed information
Sampling procedure General comments:
  • Where the product is transported loose in bulk, the load must be considered as a whole and the samples must be taken from all parts of the load.
  • Continuous automatic sampling is always the preferred method as opposed to manual sampling.
  • If a mixing vessel is used, all incremental samples from all sampling spots are collected and after they have been thoroughly mixed an aggregate sample is created. The mixing vessel must be pre-washed with the sampled product.
  • The handling and packaging of samples should be carried out in a well-ventilated place.
  • When no information is available or the information (labelling, danger symbols, documents) diverges from what you would expect you should treat the goods as dangerous.
  • Goods in special atmospheres, e.g. nitrogen, or medically sterile conditions should be sampled at the recipient’s premises under official supervision.

Representative Sampling:
  • The sample should be representative of the whole consignment. Incremental samples must be taken throughout the lot or during the whole of the discharge process. The incremental samples must be mixed thoroughly to create the aggregate sample.

Taking Samples:
  • Different methods apply depending on how the chemical is transported or discharged from the transport vehicle.
  • Bulk products
    • Horizontal probes. The probes are inserted into the load with the opening facing the bottom, then rotated 180° and withdrawn slowly in order to collect a uniform sample from the whole section. In each lot, the sample must be collected at three heights (upper, middle, and lower levels) and at various points to ensure the aggregate sample is representative.
    • Vertical probes. Vertical probes should be inserted with the sampling chamber(s) closed. When the probe has reached the required depth, the chambers should be opened and the probe twisted to ensure the chambers are filled. Close the chambers and withdraw the probe. In each lot, the sample must be collected at various points across the surface and at various depths to ensure the aggregate sample is representative.
  • Sampling of moving goods. Where the product is being mechanically moved using conveyors or other equipment there may be diverter valves or chutes that allow samples to be drawn at regular intervals from the moving stream. If these are not present it may be necessary for health and safety reasons to stop the flow and use a shovel or scoop to draw samples from the conveyor. In some cases samples may be collected by passing a pelican collector through the moving stream of chemical product at regular intervals. In each case samples must be drawn during the whole time the lot is flowing past the sampling point to ensure that the aggregate sample is representative.
  • Barrels, drums, cans, and similar small hand containers:
    • You should ensure that the goods being checked consist of a single consignment.
    • If there are several consignments, they should be identified separately.
    • An incremental sample is drawn from the centre of each container chosen randomly or systematically throughout the consignment.
    • If a sample is to be taken from only one container (e.g. barrel), it is sampled directly from the sampler into the sample container. When a set of barrels are to be sampled and we are certain that such a set represents an identical lot, incremental samples are taken from several randomly chosen barrels, which are then combined in a mixing vessel in order to create the aggregate sample.

Dividing the sample:
  • The size of an aggregated sample may be large. It may be necessary to reduce this to obtain the final samples. Please refer to the Sample division system.
    • Quartering method. The aggregate sample must be heaped up on a level and clean surface and then spread out in a layer of uniform thickness (approx 10 cm) and then divided it into four parts using a divider (a frame or tool with four boards set at right-angles which can be pushed down through the layer). Two opposite quarters should be removed (ensuring all dust and other small particles are also cleared away each time). This process should be repeated until the remaining quarters are of a suitable size to make up the final samples. The final samples should include any remaining dust or small particles.
    • Mechanical dividers. Where available Boerner or multiple-slot (Riffle-type) dividers should be used. As with the quartering method, the aggregate sample must be reduced until the remaining quantity is suitable to make up the final samples.

  • For more information refer to the ISO Standards and EU Regulations in force.
Sampling form
  • Fill in the sample form. One copy should be attached to the samples and one copy should be kept for the record.
Transport
  • Samples must be labelled to indicate the specific nature of their hazard (symbols or code letters).
  • The sample may be a hazardous material the transport of which is governed by ADR rules. Exemptions related to dangerous goods packed in limited quantities can be applied when combination packages are used (consisting of an inner and outer packaging not liable to break or easily punctured); see Transport in the General section.
  • A copy of the SDS should always be kept with the sample.
  • The transport vehicle must carry a suitable fire extinguisher.
Storage
  • Store in a cool, dark, dry and well-ventilated place away from heat sources.
  • Keep the container tightly closed in order to prevent loss of light components.
  • Use a ventilated cabinet for flammables if available.
  • Appropriate warning signs should be displayed.

Chemicals, Solid (expand list )
HS number Decription


Revisions
Version Date Changes
1.0 12.10.2012 First version
1.1 30.03.2019 Update "Headings", recommended minimum quantity for sampling changed, text correction