California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 14 - Petroleum Safety Orders-Drilling and Production
Article 14 - Reservoirs and Stationary Tanks
Section 6546 - Reservoirs and Stationary Tanks
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Design and construction of stationary tanks shall be in accordance with the provisions of the General Industry Safety Orders, Article 145.
(b) Tank roofs shall be capable of supporting anticipated live loading.
(c) Where it is necessary for employees to gage, sample, or perform other operating duties at a tank roof level or from or on tank roofs, safe access to the roof shall be provided.
(d) Where the means of access, the walkways, or the platforms of a group of two or more tanks are connected, there shall be a safe alternate means to permit an employee to escape from the roof, walkway or platform of any tank in the group in the event the walkway or platform of any other tank in the group becomes impassable due to fire or other emergency. This subsection shall not apply to tanks containing non-combustible liquids.
(e) Within this subsection tanks shall be classified as follows:
Class A--Tanks with fixed steel roofs, except steel waterseal roofs.
Class B--Tanks with nonmetal roofs.
Class C--Tanks with steel waterseal roofs.
Walkways and platforms on tank roofs required by subsections (c) and (d) of this section, and the railings and toeboards, shall be provided as follows:
Toeboards are not required on the side of a platform that faces the peak of the roof, unless their absence would create a hazard to employees.
(f) Where a roof is found to be unsafe, barriers shall be erected to block off the entire roof or that portion which is unsafe. Legible signs shall be posted at all approaches to the tank or reservoir if the entire roof is blocked off, or on the barrier facing all approaches to the defective area if only the unsafe portion is barricaded. These signs shall read: "Danger--Unsafe Roof--Keep Off," or equivalent wording, in letters at least two inch (2") high.
(g) Tank roofs, platforms, walkways and stairways shall be kept clear of loose material or equipment except for sampling and gaging equipment kept on tank roofs in special racks or containers. Oil spills shall be cleaned up to prevent fire and slipping hazards.
(h) When in the open position, the covers of gage, sampling and manhole openings in tank roofs shall be securely attached to the roof or roof opening fixture.
1.
Amendment filed 7-20-59; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 59, No.
12).
2. Amendment of article 14 heading, section heading, section
and NOTE filed 5-8-95; operative 6-7-95 (Register 95, No.
19).
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.