Spill, Overfill Prevention for USTs

The Responsibilities and Requirements for Owners and Operators of Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) as cited in 40 CFR Part 280 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Spill Containment Operation

The federal UST regulations require tank owners and operators use and maintain spill prevention equipment to prevent the release of petroleum product into the environment.

You are responsible for:

Ensuring that the volume available in the tank is greater than the volume of product to be transferred to the tank before the transfer is made.
Constantly monitoring the product transfer operation to prevent overfilling and spilling.
Ensuring that spill containment is fully functional.

Spill Containment Maintenance

Regular equipment maintenance is a management practice that is required by regulatory officials to maintain compliance with the federal UST regulations.

You must:

Remove and properly dispose of dirt, debris, water or product from spill containers.
Check spill containers both before and immediately after each product transfer to make sure that they are clean and empty.
Ensure that your spill container is liquid tight.
Carefully check all rubber gaskets, boots, seals, etc., and metal clamps for signs of deterioration and to ensure that they are tight.
Replace damaged clamps, gaskets and seals immediately with a material that is compatible with the product that is being stored in the tank.
Check the drain mechanisms to ensure that they are working properly and are not in the "stuck open" position. (This can result in highly explosive vapors at ground level.) Repair or replace broken drain mechanisms upon detection.

Preventing tank overfill problems

Following these recommendations can help reduce petroleum releases into the environment:

Monitor the delivery process from start to finish.
Reference the correct tank chart for all tanks to ensure available capacity for product ordered.
Do not distract the delivery driver during product delivery. Clear identify and label all tank fill spouts.
Apprise the driver to what type of overfill device is in place for overfill control and fill signal.
Clean delivery surface spills with an absorbent material, and do not wash absorbent or petroleum into overfill basin or surface drains.
Inspect overfill bucket following delivery, immediately and properly dispose of petroleum overfill.
Check the pad around the fill bucket for cracks or holes; repair immediately
Securely locking all monitoring wells and clearly labeling the keys.
Never provide monitoring well keys to a delivery perso n. Fill basins must be liquid tight at all times. Inspect regularly and repair promptly .
Prominently posting telephone numbers for employees to call in the event of an emergency

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