Audit of:
Sampling within a plant is conducted strategically for metal accounting, process control, and quality control purposes, adhering to fundamental rules that ensure equal probability of all parts of the process stream being sampled.
The primary objective is to extract a representative sample of the bulk stream, necessitating proper design, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the sampling system in accordance with ISO standards. Compliance with these standards is crucial for sampling systems to be considered representative, and the sampling method can be either mass or time-based.
An audit of a plant’s sampling processes checks whether there is adherence to relevant industry standards, regulations, and internal protocols, and whether the sampling system is of a satisfactory design to allow collection of representative samples.
In addition, an audit will evaluate the adequacy of equipment, including crushers, conveyors, and automatic samplers and moreover, review and analyse documented sampling procedures to ensure they are comprehensive, accurate, and followed consistently.
Sample collection, transportation, and storage of samples is paramount for traceability purposes and to minimise contamination and degradation.
An audit will verify that proper labelling and documentation accompanies each sample.
By acting on the findings from a thorough audit on plant sampling and sampling systems, operations can enhance the precision of their data, improve process control, and make more informed decisions based on accurate information. This contributes to the overall efficiency and success of industrial operations.