Types of Containers - Drums Containing Packaged Laboratory Wastes

Another possible type of containers is a drum containing packaged laboratory wastes (also called lab packs).

Lab packs are drums that contain laboratory materials. These materials are often surrounded by an absorbent material that also acts as a cushion. Sometimes lab packs may contain shock-sensitive materials; for this reason, they are an ignition risk at hazardous waste sites. Also, for this reason, the containers should be treated as if they contain explosive or shock-sensitive wastes until characterized otherwise.

If one must handle these drums, OSHA recommends the following actions and precautions at a minimum:

• Before handling or moving lab packs, ensure all non-essential personnel are a safe distance from the location site.
• Upon initial handling of the drum or drums, use a grappler unit when possible to contain any potential explosion.
• Keep communication open between the Site Safety Officer and the command post throughout the handling process.
• Palletize the repacked drums prior to transport.
• Secure the drums to pallets.

After opening a lab pack, have a chemist ready to do the following:

• Inspect, classify, and segregate all bottles within the lab pack without opening the bottles.
• Classify these wastes according to their hazardous contents.
• Pack these bottles, surrounding them with cushioning and absorption materials.
• Ship them to the appropriate disposal facility.

Note that if the chemist sees crystalline material on the neck of any bottle, these bottles must be handled as though they contain a shock-sensitive waste. It may be necessary to seek further expert advice before attempting to handle it.

Here is an example of a system for classifying lab pack wastes.

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