ASTM D6063-96(2001)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D6063–96 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Guide for
Sampling of Drums and Similar Containers by Field
Personnel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6063; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
Used at Nonradioactive Waste Sites
1.1 Thisguidecoversinformation,includingflowcharts,for
D 5283 Practice for Generation of Environmental Data
field personnel to follow in order to collect samples from
Related to Waste Management Activities: Quality Assur-
drums and similar containers.
ance and Quality Control Planning and Implementation
1.2 The purpose of this guide is to help field personnel in
D 5358 Practice for Sampling with a Dipper or Pond
planning and obtaining samples from drums and similar
Sampler
containers, using equipment and techniques that will ensure
D 5451 Practice for Sampling Using a Trier Sampler
that the objectives of the sampling activity will be met. It can
D 5495 Practice for Sampling with a Composite Liquid
also be used as a training tool.
Waste (COLIWASA) Sampler
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Definitions:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.1 bung, n—usually a 2-in. (5-cm) or ⁄4-in. (1.3-cm)
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
diameter threaded plug specifically designed to close a bung
2. Referenced Documents hole.
3.1.2 bung hole, n—an opening in a barrel or drum through
2.1 ASTM Standards:
which it can be filled, emptied or vented.
C 783 Practice for Core Sampling of Graphite Electrodes
3.1.3 consolidated solid, n—as used in this guide, a com-
D 1452 Practice for Soil Investigation and Sampling by
pact solid not easily compressed or broken into smaller
Auger Borings
portions.
D 1586 Test Method for Penetration Test and Split-Barrel
3.1.4 drum, n—when used in the flow charts in this guide,
Sampling of Soils
thewordimpliesanydrum,barrelornon-bulkcontainerof5to
D 1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Geotechnical Sam-
110 gal (19 to 400 L) capacity.
pling of Soils
3.1.5 representative sample, n—a sample collected such
D 2113 Practice for Diamond Core Drilling for Site Inves-
that it reflects one or more characteristics of interest of the lot
tigation
or population from which it was collected.
D 4448 Guide for Sampling Groundwater MonitoringWells
3.1.6 sample, n—one or more items or portions collected
D 4687 Guide for General Planning of Waste Sampling
from a lot or population.
D 4700 Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
3.1.7 sampler, n—the device used to obtain a sample.
D 4823 Guide for Core-Sampling Submerged, Unconsoli-
3.1.8 sludge, n—as used in this guide, any mixture of solids
dated Sediments
that settles out of solution; sludges contain liquids that are not
D 4840 Guide for Sample Chain of Custody Procedures
apparent as free liquids.
3.1.9 unconsolidated solid, n—as used in this guide, unce-
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
mented or uncompacted material that is easily separated into
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.02 on
smaller portions.
Sampling Techniques.
3.1.10 work plans, n—plans that are specific to sampling at
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1996. Published February 1997.
a particular site; examples are Health and Safety Plans and
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Sampling and Analysis Plans.
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 (2001)
4. Summary of Guide addressed before, during, and after taking a sample. It provides
guidance in choosing the sampling technique and equipment
4.1 This guide uses a decision-tree format to lead persons
suitableforspecificsituations.Itcanserveasatrainingtoolfor
intending to sample waste materials from drums and similar
those who are unfamiliar with sampling. It is recommended
containers through a series of questions. The answers to the
that this guide be used as a supplement to a written workplan.
questions result in recommended actions, including the selec-
5.3 Some sections of this guide contain flow charts (see
tion of appropriate sampling equipment. Brief instructions on
Figs.1-5)thatmustbeworkedthrough,startingfromthetopof
the use of the equipment are included.
each page. By answering the questions in the diamond-shaped
4.2 This guide addresses commonly used sampling equip-
boxes, and following the appropriate arrows, the person
ment and devices; it is not intended to cover all that might be
planning to sample will be guided towards the most suitable
purchased or custom made.
procedures and equipment.The numbers at the bottom of some
boxes refer to corresponding paragraphs in the text, which
5. Significance and Use
provide information to help the person sampling answer the
5.1 This guide is intended to assist field personnel in
questions.
obtaining samples from drums and similar containers for
5.4 Figs. 6-15 are examples of types of equipment. Similar
laboratory analysis. The costs associated with sampling and
devices that do the same job in the same way are not intended
analysis make it essential that samples be taken correctly
to be excluded.
before submitting them for chemical analysis or physical
testing, or both. Incorrect sampling can invalidate resulting
6. Objectives of Sampling
data.
5.2 This guide may be used by personnel who have no 6.1 The purpose of sampling is to collect a representative
formal workplan. It draws their attention to issues that must be sample of all or part of the contents of the drum or similar
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Section 6 in the text.
FIG. 1 Objectives of Sampling
D6063–96 (2001)
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Sections 7.1 to 7.3 in the text.
FIG. 2 Pre-Sampling Inspection
container, to determine the physical and chemical characteris- 7. Pre-Sampling Inspection
tics of those contents (see Fig. 1). This information may then
7.1 Information about the contents of the drums may be
be used to:
available from (see Fig. 2):
6.1.1 Select suitable methods of treatment and disposal of
7.1.1 Previous analysis of drum contents from the same
the contents,
source,
6.1.2 Provide evidence for use in a court of law, 7.1.2 The supplier/source of the material in the drums,
7.1.3 Manifest (shipping) documents,
6.1.3 Comply with regulations, such as those for the trans-
7.1.4 Labels and other markings on the drums, or
portation of hazardous materials,
7.1.5 Knowledge of the waste generating process.
6.1.4 Confirm that the drums contain what is written on the
7.2 Personnel doing the pre-sampling and sampling must be
label, manifest or other type of documentation, and
aware of any special procedures that are to be followed at a
6.1.5 Find out if any drums in a lot contain different
given site. Workplans include a worker health and safety
materials from the majority.
section because there are potential hazards associated with
6.2 In most cases there is a written plan that describes the
opening drums as well as with potentially hazardous con-
work to be done (Guide D 4687). In other cases, there is no
,
3 4
tents. Examplesofspecialproceduresarechangeofclothing,
written plan and the instructions are only verbal.
6.3 If the objectives of sampling are unclear or unknown to
the field personnel, they should question their supervisor or
Drum Handling Practices at Hazardous Waste Sites, EPA/600/2-86/013,
project manager about the objectives. Well-informed field
January 1986.
personnel are then alert to unforeseen circumstances or events
Field Sampling Procedures Manual, Third Edition, New Jersey Department of
that might invalidate the samples. Environmental Protection, Division of Hazardous Site Mitigation, February 1988.
D6063–96 (2001)
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Sections 7.3 to 7.5 in the text.
FIG. 2 Pre-Sampling Inspection (continued)
use of safety equipment of various kinds, evacuation proce- that the monitor has been calibrated correctly, according to the
dures, fire and explosion procedures and vehicle cleaning
manufacturer’s instructions. Monitoring should be done only
procedures such as water washing before leaving the site or
by those with the appropriate written procedures, training and
storage area, and many others that would be site or storage
equipment.
specific.
7.3.3 It is prudent to monitor a storage area before entering
7.3 If you are certain that the drum does not contain
it. If radioactive material is found to be present when it should
radioactive material and the workplan does not require you to
not be, leave the area immediately, post warning signs to alert
check for radioactivity, proceed to 7.4.
other workers, and consult your supervisor.
7.3.1 Many facilities are not licensed to handle radioactive
7.4 Drums may contain flammable materials, strong oxidiz-
materials and are legally obliged to prove that they do not
ers or reducing materials, light-sensitive materials, corrosive
knowingly accept them. Some facilities are licensed to handle
acids or bases, and materials sensitive to moisture.All of these
radioactive materials; they need to have a measure of how
drums require special handling, including segregation.
radioactive the material is for the safety of their workers.
7.4.1 Many solvents, like benzene, evaporate into air space
7.3.2 Hand-held monitors that check for radioactivity
in and around the drum where the vapour may be easily
should always be used if you suspect that radioactive material
might be present or if the workplan requires it. It is important ignited.
D6063–96 (2001)
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Sections 7.6 to 7.8 in the text.
FIG. 2 Pre-Sampling Inspection (continued)
7.4.2 If you are sampling a potentially flammable or un- 7.4.4 Labels on drums of waste materials may not be
known material, non-sparking tools should be used and the accurate. Unless the drums come from a reliable source, for
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
7.4.3 If the drums are stored in a closed room or confined
the labels may not match the contents.
space, the air in the area should be tested by a hand-held
monitor to check for flammable vapors. It is important that the
NOTE 2—Precaution: Attempting to open a drum that is in poor
monitor has been calibrated according to the manufacturer’s
condition can expose a worker to the possibility of a serious, even fatal,
instructions. The monitoring should be done by those with the
accident. Special precautions should be taken when the bungs are rusted
appropriate training and written procedures. or corroded since the drum top may give way, exposing the worker to
vapor or liquid. Overpacking before sampling should be considered for
NOTE 1—Warning: Flammable materials should be sampled in a
drums in poor condition.
well-ventilated area. There are other safety considerations that must be
7.5 It is not always necessary to sample every drum in a lot.
considered regarding confined spaces. It may be necessary to check for
explosivity or oxygen levels. The workplans provide direction as to how many, and possibly
D6063–96 (2001)
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
which, drums should be sampled. Each drum that will be carriers, which lock on the drum lip, should not be used to
sampled must be identified in a unique way in case a second move the drum if the condition is poor.
sample has to be taken later. Colored labels, crayons, paint 7.8 Materials in layers, such as oil with water, can become
sticksorpens,orstencilledpaintcanbeusedtoidentifydrums. mixed together when moved. If you want to sample each layer
Any new identification system should not cover the existing separately, the material may need time to settle before opening
labels or identifiers. and sampling the drum.
7.6 Sometimes drums have to be moved to another location
8. Selection of Suitable Sampling Procedure
for sampling; this is known as “drum staging”.This is required
if:
8.1 The physical state(s) of the material(s) being sampled is
7.6.1 Sampling the drum in its present location poses a high
an important criterion when sampling (see Fig. 3).
risk to surrounding property and individuals,
8.2 A drum containing one liquid, such as water, or a
7.6.2 The drum cannot be accessed for sampling in its
mixture of liquids, such as a stable emulsion like hand cream,
current location, or
that does not separate into two layers regardless of time, is said
7.6.3 Exposure to climatic conditions alter the sample, for
to contain one phase. A drum containing two liquids, such as
example,formationofice;orcreateahealthandsafetyrisk,for
oil and water, which form two distinct layers when they are not
example, the sun heating a drum containing solvents.
stirred is said to contain two phases.
7.7 The physical condition of drums must be evaluated 8.3 When it is necessary to know the amounts of solid and
before attempting to open or move them (see Note 2). Drum liquid layers in a drum, a calibrated measuring device or the
D6063–96 (2001)
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)
sampling equipment (for example, a COLIWASA) can be 8.6.2 The equipment will have to be replaced frequently,
inserted into the opened drum (see Section 12) and the liquid adding costs to the project.
level measured. 8.7 Whenselectingequipment,itisimportanttobeawareof
8.4 Although sludges behave like sticky solids and are not the limitations of the tools. The design of some equipment can
usually pumped, they can contain quite a high proportion of result in part of the material not being sampled. For example,
l
...