California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders
Group 3 - General Plant Equipment and Special Operations
Article 13 - Agricultural Operations
Section 3453 - Applicator Rigs, Tanks, and Vessels Used for Fertilizer, Insecticide, Pesticide, and Other Chemical Solutions of a Hazardous Nature

(a) All closed tanks over 100 gallons in capacity shall have an effective means to indicate the liquid level.

(b) Fittings, hose, and tubing connections of the proper strength for the maximum pressure encountered in the system shall be used. All hose connections shall be clamped or otherwise safely secured.

Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) connections shall be in accordance with the Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders.

(c) All storage tanks shall have a legend attached, painted, or stenciled on them indicating the type of solution stored in them. The legend shall be in letters at least 2 inches high of a color contrasting with the color of the tank. A notice with precautionary instructions equivalent to the label prescribed by the labeling orders of the Division for the material being used shall also be attached to the tank.

(d) When positive displacement pumps are used and a stop valve is located between the outlet side of the pump and the discharge end of the hose, pipe, or tubing, there shall be installed a relief device which will bypass the liquid back to the low-pressure side of the system to prevent rupturing of the discharge hose, pipe, tubing, or pump.

(e) Controls for applicator tanks shall be placed in such a manner that the employee will receive the least possible exposure from ruptured or breaking lines at the controls.

The distributing manifold (Christmas Tree) if in the immediate vicinity of the operator shall be located to the rear and below the seat level of the operator or completely shielded.

(f) When two or more tanks under gas or liquid pressure are connected by means of a hose, tubing, or pipe blocked at both ends by stop valves, there shall be a device installed in the line to bleed off the pressure before the line is disconnected.

(g) Where aqua ammonia operations are conducted, each bulk tank, mobile applicator, or nurse tank, shall have immediately available from a safe and accessible source, or shall be supplied with sufficient clean water (5 gallons) to enable an employee to wash his eyes in case of accidental sprays or spillage.

(h) All pressure vessels shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders.