ASTM D6063-96e1

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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e1
Designation: D 6063 – 96
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.
e NOTE—The layout was editorially changed in July 1997.
1. Scope D 4840 Guide for Sample Chain of Custody Procedures
D 5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
1.1 This guide covers information, including flow charts, for
Used at Nonradioactive Waste Sites
field personnel to follow in order to collect samples from
D 5283 Practice for Generation of Environmental Data
drums and similar containers.
Related to Waste Management Activities: Quality Assur-
1.2 The purpose of this guide is to help field personnel in
ance and Quality Control Planning and Implementation
planning and obtaining samples from drums and similar
D 5358 Practice for Sampling with a Dipper or Pond
containers, using equipment and techniques that will ensure
Sampler
that the objectives of the sampling activity will be met. It can
D 5451 Practice for Sampling Using a Trier Sampler
also be used as a training tool.
D 5495 Practice for Sampling with a Composite Liquid
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Waste (COLIWASA) Sampler
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Terminology
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1 Definitions:
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.1 bung, n—usually a 2-in. (5-cm) or ⁄4-in. (1.3-cm)
2. Referenced Documents diameter threaded plug specifically designed to close a bung
hole.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.2 bung hole, n—an opening in a barrel or drum through
C 783 Practice for Core Sampling of Graphite Electrodes
which it can be filled, emptied or vented.
D 1452 Practice for Soil Investigation and Sampling by
3.1.3 consolidated solid, n—as used in this guide, a com-
Auger Borings
pact solid not easily compressed or broken into smaller
D 1586 Test Method for Penetration Test and Split-Barrel
portions.
Sampling of Soils
3.1.4 drum, n—when used in the flow charts in this guide,
D 1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Geotechnical Sam-
the word implies any drum, barrel or non-bulk container of 5 to
pling of Soils
110 gal (19 to 400 L) capacity.
D 2113 Practice for Diamond Core Drilling for Site Inves-
3.1.5 representative sample, n—a sample collected such
tigation
that it reflects one or more characteristics of interest of the lot
D 4448 Guide for Sampling Groundwater Monitoring
or population from which it was collected.
Wells
4 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
apparent as free liquids.
3.1.9 unconsolidated solid, n—as used in this guide, unce-
mented or uncompacted material that is easily separated into
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
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.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
4 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.04. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
5 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 6063
a particular site; examples are Health and Safety Plans and 5.2 This guide may be used by personnel who have no
Sampling and Analysis Plans. formal workplan. It draws their attention to issues that must be
addressed before, during, and after taking a sample. It provides
4. Summary of Guide
guidance in choosing the sampling technique and equipment
4.1 This guide uses a decision-tree format to lead persons
suitable for specific situations. It can serve as a training tool for
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) that must be worked through, starting from the top of
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
6. Objectives of Sampling
testing, or both. Incorrect sampling can invalidate resulting
data. 6.1 The purpose of sampling is to collect a representative
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Section 6 in the text.
FIG. 1 Objectives of Sampling
D 6063
NOTE 1—This flow chart should be used with Sections 7.1 to 7.3 in the text.
FIG. 2 Pre-Sampling Inspection
sample of all or part of the contents of the drum or similar 7. Pre-Sampling Inspection
container, to determine the physical and chemical characteris-
7.1 Information about the contents of the drums may be
tics of those contents (see Fig. 1). This information may then
available from (see Fig. 2):
be used to:
7.1.1 Previous analysis of drum contents from the same
6.1.1 Select suitable methods of treatment and disposal of
source,
the contents,
7.1.2 The supplier/source of the material in the drums,
6.1.2 Provide evidence for use in a court of law,
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-
8,9
work to be done (Guide D 4687). In other cases, there is no
tents. Examples of special procedures are change of clothing,
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 9
Field Sampling Procedures Manual, Third Edition, New Jersey Department of
that might invalidate the samples. Environmental Protection, Division of Hazardous Site Mitigation, February 1988.
D 6063
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
should always be used if you suspect that radioactive material in and around the drum where the vapour may be easily
might be present or if the workplan requires it. It is important ignited.
D 6063
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- example, the generator of the material and the process that
known material, non-sparking tools should be used and the created the waste are known to you, it is prudent to assume that
drums should be grounded. the labels may not match the contents.
7.4.3 If the drums are stored in a closed room or confined
NOTE 2—Precaution: Attempting to open a drum that is in poor
space, the air in the area should be tested by a hand-held
condition can expose a worker to the possibility of a serious, even fatal,
monitor to check for flammable vapors. It is important that the
accident. Special precautions should be taken when the bungs are rusted
monitor has been calibrated according to the manufacturer’s
or corroded since the drum top may give way, exposing the worker to
vapor or liquid. Overpacking before sampling should be considered for
instructions. The monitoring should be done by those with the
drums in poor condition.
appropriate training and written procedures.
7.5 It is not always necessary to sample every drum in a lot.
NOTE 1—Warning: Flammable materials should be sampled in a
The workplans provide direction as to how many, and possibly
well-ventilated area. There are other safety considerations that must be
considered regarding confined spaces. It may be necessary to check for
which, drums should be sampled. Each drum that will be
explosivity or oxygen levels.
sampled must be identified in a unique way in case a second
7.4.4 Labels on drums of waste materials may not be sample has to be taken later. Colored labels, crayons, paint
accurate. Unless the drums come from a reliable source, for sticks or pens, or stencilled paint can be used to identify drums.
D 6063
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
Any new identification system should not cover the existing 8. Selection of Suitable Sampling Procedure
labels or identifiers.
8.1 The physical state(s) of the material(s) being sampled is
7.6 Sometimes drums have to be moved to another location
an important criterion when sampling (see Fig. 3).
for sampling; this is known as “drum staging”. This is required
8.2 A drum containing one liquid, such as water, or a
if:
mixture of liquids, such as a stable emulsion like hand cream,
7.6.1 Sampling the drum in its present location poses a high
that does not separate into two layers regardless of time, is said
risk to surrounding property and individuals,
to contain one phase. A drum containing two liquids, such as
7.6.2 The drum cannot be accessed for sampling in its
oil and water, which form two distinct layers when they are not
current location, or
7.6.3 Exposure to climatic conditions alter the sample, for stirred is said to contain two phases.
example, formation of ice; or create a health and safety risk, for
8.3 When it is necessary to know the amounts of solid and
example, the sun heating a drum containing solvents.
liquid layers in a drum, a calibrated measuring device or the
7.7 The physical condition of drums must be evaluated
sampling equipment (for example, a COLIWASA) can be
before attempting to open or move them (see Note 2). Drum
inserted into the opened drum (see Section 12) and the liquid
carriers, which lock on the drum lip, should not be used to
level measured.
move the drum if the condition is poor.
8.4 Although sludges behave like sticky solids and are not
7.8 Materials in layers, such as oil with water, can become
usually pumped, they can contain quite a high proportion of
mixed together when moved. If you want to sample each layer
liquids, such as oil or water, which is not visible as free liquid.
separately, the material may need time to settle before opening
and sampling the drum. 8.5 An unconsolidated solid is a material like sand or a
D 6063
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)
powder. A consolidated solid consists of material, li
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