This practice is applicable to sampling soils and similar fine-grained cohesive materials. This practice is to be used by personnel who are to acquire the samples.

This practice should be used in conjunction with Guide D 4687, which covers sampling plans, safety, quality assurance, preservation, decontamination, labeling, and chain-of-custody procedures; Practice D 5088, which covers the decontamination of field equipment used at waste sites; and Practice D 5283, which covers project specifications and practices for environmental field operations.

1.1 This practice covers sampling using a trier. A trier resembles an elongated scoop as shown in Fig. 1. The trier is used to collect samples of granular or powdered materials that are moist or sticky and have a particle diameter less than one-half the diameter of the trier.

1.2 The trier can be used as a vertical coring device only when it is certain that a relatively complete and cylindrical sample can be extracted.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.