Types of Containers - Bulging Drums

One of the possible types of containers is a bulging or swelling drum. Drums bulge or swell when pressurized. Pressurized drums are incredibly dangerous as they have the potential to explode.

Because they pose such threats, bulging drums should not be moved. If a bulging or swelling drum must be moved, everyone should exercise extreme caution. The person moving the drum should use a grappler unit (constructed for explosive contents) if possible. This person should do one of the following things:

• Move the drum only as far as necessary to place it on firm ground.
• Carefully overpack the drum. Overpacking is the process of inserting a drum into another container (an overpack) that contains the drum and its contents.

Note that OSHA's "Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response" manual states that any drum or container that bulges or swells or shows crystalline material on the outside "must not be moved onto or from the site unless appropriate containment procedures have been implemented."

To learn more about HAZWOPER visit our HAZWOPER 40 Hour Online Training web page.