Subchapter 14. Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production
Article 14. Reservoirs and Stationary Tanks

§6547. Reservoir and Stationary Tank Maintenance.

(a) Maintenance work shall not be performed on the roof of a tank or reservoir or shell of a tank at any location where the employee is exposed to a hazardous concentration of flammable or toxic gases or vapors.

(b) If such work is contemplated and there is reason to suspect the existence of any of the hazards mentioned in subsection (a), tests shall be made of the atmosphere at the location of the proposed work to determine the presence or absence of these hazards. Additional tests shall be made during the progress of the work to determine whether a safe atmospheric condition still exists.

This order does not prohibit an employee protected by approved respiratory equipment from entering such a hazardous atmosphere.

(c) If tank or reservoir roof plates or sheathing are known to be weak or defective, and it is necessary for employees to go on a roof to determine the extent of the weak and defective parts or to remove them, the following precautions, or substantially equally safe procedure, shall be used:

(1) Employees shall work at least two rafters apart, be provided with and use an approved safety harness with an independent safety line securely attached to safe supports.

(2) If rafters, girders or posts are known to be weak or defective in an area which cannot be spanned by thrustout planking and thus support employees, temporary shoring shall be installed inside the tank or reservoir before employees are permitted to work on the weak or defective roof area. If this is impracticable, an overhead life line shall be installed and employees shall attach their safety belts to this life line.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. Amendment of section heading and section and new Note filed 5-8-95; operative 6-7-95 (Register 95, No. 19).