Why I Use the SKC Online Sampling Guides
Let me start by saying this: If you are an industrial hygienist and you are not already using the SKC Online Sampling Guides, you are missing out. I do not say that lightly. Like many of you, my days are packed with fieldwork, reports, meetings, training, equipment preparation, and troubleshooting—the cycle never ends. So, anything that saves time, reduces uncertainty, or makes sampling easier and more reliable is a welcome tool. The SKC Online Sampling Guides check all those boxes.
Over the years, I have tried a variety of tools and reference materials to help streamline the sampling process. Some were decent, others outdated, and a few were overly complicated. But these SKC Sampling Guides (available for OSHA/NIOSH methods, EPA methods, Passive Sampling, and HSE methods) have stood the test of time. Here is why they have become my go-to resource—and why I believe they should be yours too.
1. They are the Most Extensive and Up-to-Date Sampling Guides Available
We all know how quickly things change in our field. Methods are revised, new hazards emerge, instruments evolve, and regulatory requirements shift. Having an up-to-date reference is not optional; it is essential.
The SKC Online Sampling Guides are updated continuously to reflect current OSHA, NIOSH, ASTM, EPA, and HSE methods. When I search for a contaminant, I know the information I am viewing is as current as it can possibly be. That’s invaluable to me as I start here first when making real-time decisions in the field. It is so convenient.
I recall preparing for a sampling project involving welding fumes and hexavalent chromium. The printed sampling guide I had was slightly outdated, but a quick check of the online version revealed updates to the recommended media and sample volume. That moment convinced me this online tool was a must-have.
2. SKC Sampling Guides are Widely Trusted and Respected in the Industry
This is not an obscure or niche resource. The SKC Sampling Guides are one of the most respected and widely used references in our profession. I have often heard other IHs refer to them as their “field bible.” And that is what it feels like: a trusted, centralized resource that delivers exactly what you need.
Whether at professional conferences, during training sessions, or in day-to-day conversations among industrial hygienists, these guides are frequently referenced. The level of consistent, industry-wide reliance reflects the trust professionals place in this SKC resource.
3. Online Format = Maximum Convenience
A printed catalog had made its way into my office at some point along my IH journey. Maybe you had a similar experience. There is some nostalgia there, for sure, but when it comes to searchability, portability, and speed, digital is hard to beat.
The SKC Online Sampling Guides are mobile-friendly and perform just as well on smartphones as they do on desktops. Whether I am in the field, in my vehicle, or at my desk, I can retrieve the information I need in seconds. No flipping through pages or deciphering tiny print—just tap, search, scroll, and done. As a bonus, you can add a shortcut/icon to your phone’s home screen to take you directly to the sampling guide page!
For professionals constantly moving between job sites or managing multiple sampling plans, that level of flexibility is a welcome relief.
4. It is Free to Access
Yes, you read that correctly—completely free. No subscriptions, no login requirements, no paywalls. In a world where access often comes with a cost, SKC’s commitment to providing this tool at no charge is both generous and a testament to their dedication to the profession.
You do not need to be an SKC customer to benefit from the guides (though you may become one after seeing how useful they are). They are available at any time and to anyone, with no strings attached.
5. SKC Sampling Guides Save Time with Direct Product Links
The SKC Sampling Guides do not just provide a summary of method parameters for sampling—they show you what you need to do it. Each contaminant entry includes links to recommended products like media, pumps, and accessories. You can plan your sampling and purchase equipment in just a few clicks.
For busy professionals juggling multiple responsibilities, this feature makes your life as an industrial hygienist easier. It's like having a knowledgeable assistant who already knows the part numbers and has the specifications ready to go.
6. A Centralized, Reliable, and Accurate Resource
There is significant value in having a centralized resource you can trust. No bouncing between multiple government websites, no outdated PDFs, and no questionably sourced information from online forums.
The SKC Sampling Guides bring everything together: chemical information, validated methods (bonus — they are linked to the agencies’ page), sampling parameters, analysis type, recommended equipment and media (again, these are linked), and other helpful information. It is accurate, professionally vetted, and regularly refined. That reliability helps you to minimize errors and simplifies the entire sampling process.
Recently, we had to sample methylene chloride in a laboratory facility. I opened the SKC OSHA/NIOSH Sampling Guide, typed “methylene chloride,” and had the relevant method, media, and equipment in front of me on the screen almost instantly. That speed and reliability is what industrial hygienists and other OEHS professionals around the world have come to count on.
7. Practical and User-friendly Design
These guides are free from overly technical jargon and are easy to navigate. The information is clearly laid out, intuitive, and focused on real-world application.
When I need to confirm a procedure or address a less common contaminant, I require clarity and actionable information. That is exactly what the SKC Online Sampling Guides deliver.
8. Great for Training and Mentorship
An unexpected bonus is how helpful SKC Online Sampling Guides are when training newer industrial hygienists, assisting colleagues, or answering customers’ inquiries. It’s a great tool for explaining sampling strategy because it includes both the methodology and the associated gear.
Since these guides are free and online, I can simply send a link, walk someone through a page, and help them build their confidence. It is a ready-made teaching tool that is always available.
9. Quick Walkthrough: Looking Up a Contaminant
Imagine you are preparing for a job involving benzene exposure. Here is how simple it is:
- Open SKC Online Sampling Guides on your device.
- Select the desired Guide — OSHA/NIOSH, EPA, Passive, or HSE.
- Type “benzene” in the Chemical Hazard search field and click Find.
- In the search results, instantly see the entries that meet your search criteria, analytical methods, and sampling equipment.
- Additional information can be found by clicking any of the ‘Benzene’ hyperlinks. This added information includes chemical information, sampling parameters such as volume, flow rate, and time, as well as equipment, media, and notes.
All the critical information, right at your fingertips. No time wasted.
10. Reliable for High-stakes Work
In high-visibility or regulatory-driven projects—like inspections, litigation, or complex health investigations—we need tools we can trust. I want the resource that supports me when I’m standing before a site manager or preparing documentation for review.
The SKC Online Sampling Guides have consistently come through for me. These guides have helped professionals avoid costly errors, find alternative options, and demonstrate technical competency with confidence.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, we all strive to perform our work efficiently, effectively, and with a high degree of accuracy. The SKC Online Sampling Guides are a resource that helps me do exactly that.
It saves time. It enhances confidence. It helps us to ensure that the sampling we perform is accurate, defensible, and aligned with current best practices.
Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned professional, SKC Online Sampling Guides deserve a place in your workflow. If you have not explored them yet, now is the time.
You will be glad you did!
Dusty Ott, CIH, is Corporate Industrial Hygienist for SKC Inc. He is based in Ogden, Utah, where he and his wife (also an industrial hygienist) are raising their family of four children. Dusty is passionate about making industrial hygiene concepts easy to understand at all levels. Follow Dusty on LinkedIn!