Free lesson · 2 min read · Updated 2026-10-25
Drum and Container Handling at Hazardous Waste Sites
Drums are where many of the worst accidents at cleanup sites start: a corroded drum splits when lifted, an unknown liquid reacts with another, or a bulging drum ruptures when someone loosens the bung. Paragraph (j) of the HAZWOPER standard sets out rules for handling, transporting, labeling and disposing of drums and containers.
Before moving anything
- Inspect first. Drums and containers must be inspected and their integrity confirmed before they are moved. Look for corrosion, bulging, leaks, crystals around bungs, and labels or markings.
- Treat unlabeled drums as hazardous until their contents are identified and characterized.
- Keep handling to a minimum. Move drums only as much as the work requires.
- Brief the crew on the hazards before work starts, and keep the area clear of non-essential people.
Equipment and spill readiness
- Use drum-handling equipment rated for the job, with operator cabs protected against vapors, splashes and explosions where needed.
- Keep salvage (overpack) drums, suitable absorbent and DOT-specification containers ready where spills or leaks may occur.
- Have a spill containment program ready to stop and contain the entire volume being moved.
- Use non-sparking tools and grounding where flammable vapors may be present.
Drums that need special care
| Condition | Why it's dangerous | Typical precautions |
|---|---|---|
| Bulging or swollen | Pressure buildup from reaction or heat can cause rupture | Don't move unless necessary; vent remotely or with shielding; keep people back |
| Leaking or corroded | Releases contents and may fail when lifted | Overpack or transfer contents; contain spills first |
| Crystals around the bung or lid | May indicate shock-sensitive or peroxide-forming material | Treat as possibly explosive; get specialist help |
| Laboratory packs | Many small containers of mixed chemicals | Only opened by trained, experienced personnel |
| Radioactive markings or readings | Radiation exposure | Stop and get a radiation safety officer |
Opening and sampling
- Open drums remotely or from behind a barrier where the contents are unknown or pressure is suspected.
- Monitor the air as the drum is opened, and stay upwind.
- Keep the people doing the work to the minimum needed, with backup personnel and emergency equipment nearby.
- Never stand on drums, and don't open more drums than you can sample at one time.
Staging and bulking
Group drums by compatibility, not convenience. Characterize the contents (often with field hazard categorization tests) before bulking any wastes together, and keep incompatible groups apart: acids from bases, oxidizers from flammables and organics, water-reactives away from water. Label each drum with its staging category.
Buried drums
Before excavation, locate buried drums with methods such as ground-penetrating radar or magnetometers so equipment doesn't puncture them. Dig carefully once you're close. Check your knowledge with the field safety quiz.
Frequently asked questions
How should unlabeled drums be treated at a hazardous waste site?
As containing hazardous substances until their contents are identified and characterized.
What should be ready before moving drums that may leak?
Salvage (overpack) drums, suitable absorbent, appropriate containers and a spill containment plan for the full volume being moved.
What do crystals around a drum bung indicate?
They may indicate shock-sensitive or peroxide-forming material. Treat the drum as potentially explosive and get specialist help.
This guide summarizes federal OSHA, Cal/OSHA and EPA rules for training purposes. It is not legal advice. Always check the current regulation text and your site safety and health plan.