ASTM D6063-96(2006)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Sampling of Drums and Similar Containers by Field Personnel
Standard Guide for Sampling of Drums and Similar Containers by Field Personnel
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers information, including flow charts, for field personnel to follow in order to collect samples from drums and similar containers.
1.2 The purpose of this guide is to help field personnel in planning and obtaining samples from drums and similar containers, using equipment and techniques that will ensure that the objectives of the sampling activity will be met. It can also be used as a training tool.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See specific Warnings in 7.4.3 and 7.4.4.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D6063–96 (Reapproved 2006)
Standard Guide for
Sampling of Drums and Similar Containers by Field
Personnel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6063; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D4823 Guide for Core Sampling Submerged, Unconsoli-
dated Sediments
1.1 Thisguidecoversinformation,includingflowcharts,for
D4840 Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures
field personnel to follow in order to collect samples from
D5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
drums and similar containers.
Used at Waste Sites
1.2 The purpose of this guide is to help field personnel in
D5283 Practice for Generation of Environmental Data Re-
planning and obtaining samples from drums and similar
lated to Waste Management Activities: Quality Assurance
containers, using equipment and techniques that will ensure
and Quality Control Planning and Implementation
that the objectives of the sampling activity will be met. It can
D5358 Practice for Sampling with a Dipper or Pond Sam-
also be used as a training tool.
pler
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D5451 Practice for Sampling Using a Trier Sampler
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D5495 Practice for Sampling With a Composite Liquid
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Waste Sampler (COLIWASA)
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See specific
3. Terminology
Warnings in 7.4.3 and 7.4.4.
3.1 Definitions:
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.1 bung, n—usually a 2-in. (5-cm) or ⁄4-in. (1.3-cm)
diameter threaded plug specifically designed to close a bung
2.1 ASTM Standards:
hole.
C783 Practice for Core Sampling of Graphite Electrodes
3.1.2 bung hole, n—an opening in a barrel or drum through
D1452 PracticeforSoilExplorationandSamplingbyAuger
which it can be filled, emptied or vented.
Borings
3.1.3 consolidated solid, n—as used in this guide, a com-
D1586 Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-
pact solid not easily compressed or broken into smaller
Barrel Sampling of Soils
portions.
D1587 Practice forThin-WalledTube Sampling of Soils for
3.1.4 drum, n—when used in the flow charts in this guide,
Geotechnical Purposes
thewordimpliesanydrum,barrelornon-bulkcontainerof5to
D2113 Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling of
110 gal (19 to 400 L) capacity.
Rock for Site Investigation
3.1.5 representative sample, n—a sample collected such
D4448 Guide for Sampling Ground-Water Monitoring
that it reflects one or more characteristics of interest of the lot
Wells
or population from which it was collected.
D4687 Guide for General Planning of Waste Sampling
3.1.6 sample, n—one or more items or portions collected
D4700 Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
from a lot or population.
3.1.7 sampler, n—the device used to obtain a sample.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
3.1.8 sludge, n—as used in this guide, any mixture of solids
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.02 on
that settles out of solution; sludges contain liquids that are not
Sampling Techniques.
apparent as free liquids.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2006. Published October 2006. Originally
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D6063 – 96 (2006).
3.1.9 unconsolidated solid, n—as used in this guide, unce-
DOI: 10.1520/D6063-96R06.
mented or uncompacted material that is easily separated into
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
smaller portions.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6063–96 (2006)
3.1.10 work plans, n—plans that are specific to sampling at before submitting them for chemical analysis or physical
a particular site; examples are Health and Safety Plans and testing, or both. Incorrect sampling can invalidate resulting
Sampling and Analysis Plans.
data.
5.2 This guide may be used by personnel who have no
4. Summary of Guide
formal workplan. It draws their attention to issues that must be
4.1 This guide uses a decision-tree format to lead persons
addressed before, during, and after taking a sample. It provides
intending to sample waste materials from drums and similar
guidance in choosing the sampling technique and equipment
containers through a series of questions. The answers to the
suitableforspecificsituations.Itcanserveasatrainingtoolfor
questions result in recommended actions, including the selec-
those who are unfamiliar with sampling. It is recommended
tion of appropriate sampling equipment. Brief instructions on
that this guide be used as a supplement to a written workplan.
the use of the equipment are included.
5.3 Some sections of this guide contain flow charts (see
4.2 This guide addresses commonly used sampling equip-
Figs.1-5)thatmustbeworkedthrough,startingfromthetopof
ment and devices; it is not intended to cover all that might be
each page. By answering the questions in the diamond-shaped
purchased or custom made.
boxes, and following the appropriate arrows, the person
5. Significance and Use
planning to sample will be guided towards the most suitable
procedures and equipment.The numbers at the bottom of some
5.1 This guide is intended to assist field personnel in
boxes refer to corresponding paragraphs in the text, which
obtaining samples from drums and similar containers for
laboratory analysis. The costs associated with sampling and provide information to help the person sampling answer the
questions.
analysis make it essential that samples be taken correctly
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Section 6 in the text.
FIG. 1 Objectives of Sampling
D6063–96 (2006)
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Sections 7.1 to 7.3 in the text.
FIG. 2 Pre-Sampling Inspection
5.4 Figs. 6-15 are examples of types of equipment. Similar 6.2 In most cases there is a written plan that describes the
devices that do the same job in the same way are not intended work to be done (Guide D4687). In other cases, there is no
to be excluded. written plan and the instructions are only verbal.
6.3 If the objectives of sampling are unclear or unknown to
6. Objectives of Sampling
the field personnel, they should question their supervisor or
project manager about the objectives. Well-informed field
6.1 The purpose of sampling is to collect a representative
personnel are then alert to unforeseen circumstances or events
sample of all or part of the contents of the drum or similar
that might invalidate the samples.
container, to determine the physical and chemical characteris-
tics of those contents (see Fig. 1). This information may then
7. Pre-Sampling Inspection
be used to:
6.1.1 Select suitable methods of treatment and disposal of
7.1 Information about the contents of the drums may be
the contents,
available from (see Fig. 2):
6.1.2 Provide evidence for use in a court of law,
7.1.1 Previous analysis of drum contents from the same
6.1.3 Comply with regulations, such as those for the trans-
source,
portation of hazardous materials,
7.1.2 The supplier/source of the material in the drums,
6.1.4 Confirm that the drums contain what is written on the
7.1.3 Manifest (shipping) documents,
label, manifest or other type of documentation, and
7.1.4 Labels and other markings on the drums, or
6.1.5 Find out if any drums in a lot contain different
materials from the majority. 7.1.5 Knowledge of the waste generating process.
D6063–96 (2006)
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Sections 7.3 to 7.5 in the text.
FIG. 2 Pre-Sampling Inspection (continued)
7.2 Personnel doing the pre-sampling and sampling must be 7.3 If you are certain that the drum does not contain
aware of any special procedures that are to be followed at a
radioactive material and the workplan does not require you to
given site. Workplans include a worker health and safety check for radioactivity, proceed to 7.4.
section because there are potential hazards associated with
7.3.1 Many facilities are not licensed to handle radioactive
opening drums as well as with potentially hazardous con-
materials and are legally obliged to prove that they do not
3,4
tents. Examplesofspecialproceduresarechangeofclothing,
knowingly accept them. Some facilities are licensed to handle
use of safety equipment of various kinds, evacuation proce-
radioactive materials; they need to have a measure of how
dures, fire and explosion procedures and vehicle cleaning
radioactive the material is for the safety of their workers.
procedures such as water washing before leaving the site or
7.3.2 Hand-held monitors that check for radioactivity
storage area, and many others that would be site or storage
should always be used if you suspect that radioactive material
specific.
might be present or if the workplan requires it. It is important
that the monitor has been calibrated correctly, according to the
Drum Handling Practices at Hazardous Waste Sites, EPA/600/2-86/013,
manufacturer’s instructions. Monitoring should be done only
January 1986.
4 by those with the appropriate written procedures, training and
Field Sampling Procedures Manual, Third Edition, New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection, Division of Hazardous Site Mitigation, February 1988. equipment.
D6063–96 (2006)
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Sections 7.6 to 7.8 in the text.
FIG. 2 Pre-Sampling Inspection (continued)
7.3.3 It is prudent to monitor a storage area before entering 7.4.3 If the drums are stored in a closed room or confined
it. If radioactive material is found to be present when it should space, the air in the area should be tested by a hand-held
not be, leave the area immediately, post warning signs to alert monitor to check for flammable vapors. It is important that the
other workers, and consult your supervisor. monitor has been calibrated according to the manufacturer’s
7.4 Drums may contain flammable materials, strong oxidiz- instructions. The monitoring should be done by those with the
ers or reducing materials, light-sensitive materials, corrosive appropriate training and written procedures. (Warning—
acids or bases, and materials sensitive to moisture.All of these Flammable materials should be sampled in a well-ventilated
drums require special handling, including segregation. area. There are other safety considerations that must be
7.4.1 Many solvents, like benzene, evaporate into air space considered regarding confined spaces. It may be necessary to
in and around the drum where the vapour may be easily check for explosivity or oxygen levels.)
ignited. 7.4.4 Labels on drums of waste materials may not be
7.4.2 If you are sampling a potentially flammable or un- accurate. Unless the drums come from a reliable source, for
known material, non-sparking tools should be used and the example, the generator of the material and the process that
drums should be grounded. created the waste are known to you, it is prudent to assume that
D6063–96 (2006)
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Sections 8.1 to 8.5 in the text.
FIG. 3 Selection of Suitable Sampling Procedure
the labels may not match the contents. (Warning—Attempting 7.6 Sometimes drums have to be moved to another location
to open a drum that is in poor condition can expose a worker
for sampling; this is known as “drum staging”.This is required
to the possibility of a serious, even fatal, accident. Special
if:
precautions should be taken when the bungs are rusted or
7.6.1 Sampling the drum in its present location poses a high
corroded since the drum top may give way, exposing the
risk to surrounding property and individuals,
workertovapororliquid.Overpackingbeforesamplingshould
7.6.2 The drum cannot be accessed for sampling in its
be considered for drums in poor condition.)
current location, or
7.5 It is not always necessary to sample every drum in a lot.
7.6.3 Exposure to climatic conditions alter the sample, for
The workplans provide direction as to how many, and possibly
example,formationofice;orcreateahealthandsafetyrisk,for
which, drums should be sampled. Each drum that will be
example, the sun heating a drum containing solvents.
sampled must be identified in a unique way in case a second
sample has to be taken later. Colored labels, crayons, paint 7.7 The physical condition of drums must be evaluated
beforeattemptingtoopenormovethem(seeWarningin7.4.4).
sticksorpens,orstencilledpaintcanbeusedtoidentifydrums.
Any new identification system should not cover the existing Drum carriers, which lock on the drum lip, should not be used
labels or identifiers. to move the drum if the condition is poor.
D6063–96 (2006)
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Sections 8.6 to 8.8 in the text.
FIG. 3 Selection of Suitable Sampling Procedure (continued)
7.8 Materials in layers, such as oil with water, can become sampling equipment (for example, a COLIWASA) can be
mixed together when moved. If you want to sample each layer inserted into the opened drum (see Section 12) and the liquid
separately, the material may need time to settle before opening level measured.
and sampling the drum. 8.4 Although sludges behave like sticky solids and are not
usually pumped, they can contain quite a high proportion of
8. Selection of Suitable Sampling Procedure
liquids, such as oil or water, which is not visible as free liquid.
8.1 The physical state(s) of the material(s) being sampled is 8.5 An unconsolidated solid is a material like sand or a
an important criterion when sampling (see Fig. 3). powder. A consolidated solid consists of material, like sand-
8.2 A drum containing one liquid, such as water, or a stone or concrete.
mixture of liquids, such as a stable emulsion like hand cream, 8.5.1 A drum containing mixed materials, such as dispos-
that does not separate into two layers regardless of time, is said able personal protective equipment and laboratory supplies, is
to contain one phase. A drum containing two liquids, such as treated as one with unconsolidated s
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