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Storage Tanks in the Petrochemical Industry Storage Tanks
Standards
Exposures to hazards present in the petroleum and petrochemical industry are addressed in specific standards for general industry. This page highlights OSHA standards, standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards), and national consensus standards related to the permit- and non-permit-required confined spaces in the petrochemical industry.

OSHA
    Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act".
     
Note: Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

Frequently Cited Standards

The following standards, in order, were the most frequently cited by Federal OSHA from October 2005 through September 2006, in Oil And Gas Field Services (SIC code 138). Highlighted Standards

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

Directives

Standard Interpretations National Consensus

Note: These are NOT OSHA regulations. However, they do provide guidance from their originating organizations related to worker protection.
 
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)
  • Z117.1 Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces
American Petroleum Institute (API)

API develops standards that identify and support proven, sound engineering and operating practices, and safe, interchangeable equipment and materials, for use in the petroleum industry. API is an accredited Standards Developing Organization that meets the due process requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
  • STD 650, Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage. (1998).
  • STD 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction, 3rd Edition. (2001).
  • STD 2015, Requirements for Safe Entry and Cleaning of Petroleum Storage Tanks.  (2001).
  • STD 2220, Improving Owner and Contractor Safety Performance. (2005).
National Fire Protection Association
  • 326, Standard for the Safeguarding of Tanks and Containers for Entry, Cleaning, or Repair. (2005) Edition.
Steel Tank Institute
  • SP001, Standard for the Inspection of Aboveground Storage Tanks.
  • SP031-04, Standard for Repair of In-Service Shop Fabricated Aboveground Tanks for Storage of Combustible and Flammable Liquids.
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Content Reviewed 05/21/2007
 
 

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