Step 1:
Identify the correct tests to be carried out on the samples.

Laboratory results provide engineers and institutions with valuable information to make decisions and/or do engineering designs. Ask them what tests they require on the sample. There are hundreds of tests that can be done on a sample, so it is important to be specific.

 Step 2:
Make sure that the correct quantity of a sample is sampled before submitting it to the laboratory. Sampling procedures are listed in the testing procedure and/or TMH 5. Alternatively, the client can make use of the Soillab field team to take samples, but this does have a cost implication.

Each test requires different amounts of sample material. The more tests that are required, the more sample material will be needed. Feel free to ask technical personnel at Soillab for advice on the amount of sample required.

Step 3:
If the client samples the material, then the client must make sure that the correct sampling procedure is followed.

Please note: Each testing procedure has a sample method that must be used when sampling. If samples are sampled incorrectly it might influence the test result produced by the laboratory. It is recommended that an experienced Soillab employee do the sampling for the client.

Step 4:
Mark the samples with some sort of identification information.

A marked sample reduces the chance of it getting lost especially when it is dropped off after hours at the security gate. The more information the better.

Step 5:
Cash Clients: Complete a work request form as thoroughly as possible. Please note that the form consists of two pages.

Account Clients: Complete the same work request form as noted above in addition to a credit application form if you wish to be a new account client. A credit application only needs to be supplied once.

All the required forms can be obtained from the Soillab office.

Step 6:
Cash Clients: At this stage, the cash clients will receive an invoice, which needs to be paid in full before the result/laboratory data is released to the client.

Account clients: If the credit application was approved, the account clients will receive their results together with their invoice or it will be received at a later stage depending on the scale of the project.

Step 7:
Remaining samples will be discarded because most of the test work is destructive. The client needs to supply more sample material if a re-test is required.

Any special arrangement must be documented (via email or on the work request form) at the beginning of the process. Verbal communication will not suffice with regards to this matter.