INDUSTRIAL TANK CLEANING

Worker Safety and Confined Space Hazards

Tanks contain life-threatening hazards including oxygen deficiency, toxic gases (H₂S, benzene, ammonia), flammable vapors (LEL), pyrophoric iron sulfide deposits that ignite upon air contact, and engulfment risks from sludge or product residues. OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.146 and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA when the work falls under construction activities) require written permit programs, atmospheric testing, ventilation, rescue equipment, and trained entrants/attendants/supervisors before anyone enters a tank.

Professional tank cleaning protects workers through pre-entry hazard screening, continuous atmospheric monitoring, proper ventilation and vapor control, OSHA-trained PRCS teams with confined space rescue capability, and isolation/LOTO with line blinds and zero-energy verification.

Equipment Integrity and Corrosion Prevention

Sludge and scale buildup accelerates corrosion by trapping moisture and corrosive compounds against tank walls. Regular cleaning extends tank life, prevents leaks that cause environmental contamination and expensive remediation, maintains storage capacity for operational efficiency, and prepares tanks for ultrasonic thickness (UT) testing and integrity inspections required under API 653 for applicable aboveground petroleum storage tanks and under state UST programs where applicable.

Regulatory Compliance and Liability Reduction

EPA and state regulations require proper waste characterization, transportation, and disposal of tank residues. Tank cleaning generates waste that may be classified as hazardous waste under RCRA, non-hazardous industrial waste, or recyclable materials depending on characterization and facility acceptance. Professional cleaning ensures hazardous waste determination and EPA hazardous waste manifesting when required (or other applicable shipping documentation for non-hazardous/state-regulated waste), disposal at RCRA-permitted (or interim status) TSDFs and other authorized facilities, and inspection-ready documentation including entry permits, atmospheric logs, waste profiles, and disposal records.



Failure to comply with OSHA confined space requirements or EPA waste regulations results in civil penalties exceeding tens of thousands of dollars per day per violation, depending on the applicable OSHA or EPA statute and adjusted annually for inflation, work stoppages and production delays, and potential criminal prosecution for knowing endangerment.

Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs)

Crude oil and refined product storage, chemical feed and process tanks, water treatment and clarifier tanks, fuel storage for generators and equipment, and vertical/horizontal cylindrical tanks up to millions of gallons capacity.

Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

Fuel storage tanks at industrial facilities and fleet operations, chemical storage tanks requiring excavation access, and UST closure/removal typically governed by state UST programs under 40 CFR Part 280 with scope and documentation varying by jurisdiction.



Process Vessels and Reactors

Chemical reactors and synthesis vessels, fermentation tanks and bioreactors, mixing and blending tanks, heat exchangers and condensers, and distillation columns and separators.

Specialized Tanks

API 650/653 crude oil storage tanks at refineries and terminals, frac tanks and portable storage units, railroad tank cars and tanker trucks, settling basins and sludge ponds, and digester tanks at wastewater treatment plants.

Hydroblasting (High-Pressure Water Jetting)

High-pressure water jetting (10,000–40,000 PSI) removes hardened scale, rust, chemical buildup, and coatings when properly selected and controlled to protect tank steel, coatings, and linings. Hydroblasting is effective for petroleum sludge and paraffin deposits, chemical scale and mineral buildup, rust and corrosion products, and old coatings before reapplication. Our crews use rotating hydroblast nozzles for 360-degree coverage, adjustable pressure settings based on substrate and residue type, and water recovery systems to capture contaminated water for proper disposal.

Vacuum Extraction (Heavy-Duty Industrial Vacuums)

Industrial vacuum trucks remove liquid sludge, oily residues, and loose sediment without confined space entry in many cases. Vacuum extraction is ideal for routine maintenance cleanings, product heel removal, stormwater and wastewater tanks, and pre-cleaning before manned entry. Our vacuum trucks support large-volume sludge removal projects exceeding 100,000 gallons through staged vacuum extraction, heated vacuum systems for heavy oils and paraffins, and explosion-proof equipment for flammable vapor environments.

Chemical Cleaning and Degreasing

Chemical cleaning uses solvents, detergents, or acid/base solutions to dissolve residues when mechanical methods are insufficient. Applications include removing polymerized resins and organic coatings, dissolving mineral scale and calcium deposits, neutralizing acidic or alkaline residues, and preparing tanks for food-grade or pharmaceutical use. Chemical cleaning supports sanitary requirements and customer/food safety programs (e.g., SSOP/HACCP expectations) and documented changeovers.

Manual Cleaning (Confined Space Entry)

When automated methods cannot reach all areas, OSHA-trained crews perform manual scraping, scrubbing, and removal under full confined space protocols. Manual cleaning is required for complex internal structures (baffles, heating coils, agitators), tanks with limited access openings, removing hardened deposits that resist hydroblasting, and final cleaning before inspection or coating application.

OSHA Permit-Required Confined Space Entry (PRCS)

OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.146 for general industry, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA for construction activities) require written permit programs before entering tanks. Requirements include:

Atmospheric Testing: Continuous monitoring for oxygen (19.5%–23.5%), LEL (below 10% of lower flammable limit), H₂S, CO, and other contaminants specific to tank contents

Ventilation: Forced-air ventilation to maintain safe atmosphere; natural ventilation insufficient for most tanks

Entry Permits: Written permits signed by supervisors documenting hazards, controls, atmospheric readings, and emergency contacts

Trained Personnel: Designated entrants, attendants (stationed outside to monitor entrants), and entry supervisors trained in PRCS procedures and rescue

Rescue Capability: On-site rescue equipment and personnel trained in confined space rescue, or arrangements with local emergency response teams

Isolation: LOTO (lockout/tagout) of all energy sources, line blinds/blanks on connected piping, drain and flush procedures, and verification of zero energy before entry

HAZWOPER Training (29 CFR 1910.120)

Workers entering tanks containing hazardous substances or operating under hazardous waste or emergency response conditions require OSHA HAZWOPER training:

• 40-hour HAZWOPER for hazardous waste site workers
• 8-hour annual refresher training
• Site-specific training on tank hazards and emergency procedures

Waste Characterization and Disposal

Tank residues may be managed as hazardous waste, non-hazardous industrial waste, or recyclable materials depending on characterization and facility acceptance. We support:

• Sampling and TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) testing where required
• Waste profiles for TSDF approval
• LDR (Land Disposal Restrictions) notices where applicable
• EPA hazardous waste manifests (when required), waste shipment records, or DOT-required shipping papers when tank residues meet DOT hazardous material definitions under 49 CFR.
• Disposal at RCRA-permitted (or interim status) TSDFs and other authorized facilities

Industry Standards and References

Common owner/industry references for tank cleaning and inspection include:

• API 653: Tank inspection, repair, alteration, and reconstruction for aboveground petroleum storage tanks
• API RP 2016: Safe entry and cleaning of petroleum storage tanks
• NFPA 326: Safeguarding of tanks and containers for entry, cleaning, or repair
• 40 CFR Part 280: Federal UST regulations (state UST programs vary)
  

Step 1: Pre-Entry Assessment and Hazard Evaluation

Our team conducts site visits to evaluate tank configuration, access points, residue type, and hazards. Assessment includes:

• Review of tank history, contents, and SDS (Safety Data Sheets)
• Visual inspection of external condition and access openings
• Preliminary atmospheric screening for H₂S, benzene/VOCs, oxygen deficiency, LEL, and pyrophoric iron sulfide risk
• Development of project-specific confined space entry plan and JSA (Job Safety Analysis)
• Coordination with facility personnel on isolation, LOTO, hot work permits, and emergency response

Step 2: Isolation, Degassing, and Vapor Control

Before any cleaning begins, tanks must be properly isolated and degassed:

• Isolation/LOTO of electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic energy sources
• Installation of line blinds/blanks on all connected piping
• Draining remaining product and flushing with water or approved solvent
• Controlled degassing and vapor control with ventilation or inerting
• Confirmation testing to verify safe entry atmosphere (oxygen, LEL, toxics)

Step 3: Confined Space Entry and Cleaning Operations

OSHA-trained crews enter tanks under full PRCS protocols with continuous atmospheric monitoring, forced-air ventilation maintaining safe oxygen and LEL levels, entry attendants stationed outside monitoring conditions and maintaining communication, and rescue equipment and personnel standing by.

Cleaning operations use hydroblasting to remove scale and buildup, vacuum extraction to remove sludge and liquids, manual scraping and scrubbing for stubborn deposits, and chemical cleaning when specified for residue dissolution.

Step 4: Waste Removal and Disposal

All removed materials are containerized, characterized, and disposed according to EPA and state regulations:

• Sampling and waste characterization (TCLP, ignitability, pH as needed)
• Segregation of hazardous, non-hazardous, and recyclable materials
• EPA hazardous waste manifesting when required; otherwise applicable shipping documentation when tank residues meet DOT hazardous material definitions under 49 CFR.
• Transportation to RCRA-permitted TSDFs or other authorized facilities
• Certificates of disposal and waste shipment records provided for compliance files

Step 5: Inspection and Documentation

After cleaning, tanks are inspected and documented:

• Visual inspection of interior surfaces and structural components
• UT (ultrasonic thickness) testing if specified for corrosion assessment
• Photography documenting cleaned condition
• Post-cleaning atmospheric testing confirming safe re-entry for inspections or coating work

Step 6: Final Documentation Package

You receive complete project documentation including:

• Confined space entry permits with atmospheric monitoring logs
• Calibration records for gas detection equipment
• JSA (Job Safety Analysis) and daily tailgate safety meetings
• Waste determinations, profiles, and characterization reports
• EPA hazardous waste manifests or other shipping papers
• Disposal receipts and certificates from receiving facilities
• Post-cleaning inspection reports and photo logs
• UT thickness reports if performed
  

Chemical Manufacturing

Reactor vessels, storage tanks, mixing tanks, process vessels containing acids, bases, solvents, and specialty chemicals

Petroleum Refining and Terminals

Crude oil storage tanks, product storage (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel), slop tanks, process vessels, and API 653-governed tanks

Food and Beverage Processing

Product storage tanks, fermentation vessels, mixing tanks, CIP (clean-in-place) systems, and documented sanitary cleaning for changeovers

Pharmaceutical and Biotech

Bioreactors, fermentation tanks, process vessels requiring validated cleaning and sanitary documentation

Wastewater Treatment

Clarifiers, settling tanks, digester tanks, chemical feed tanks, and sludge storage tanks

Power Generation and Utilities

Fuel storage tanks, water treatment tanks, cooling tower basins, and chemical feed systems

Pulp and Paper Mills

Black liquor storage, recovery tanks, chemical storage, and process vessels

Agriculture and Fertilizer Production

Liquid fertilizer storage, ammonia tanks, pesticide storage, and molasses tanks

Tank failures, spills, and contamination require immediate professional response to contain releases, protect workers, and prevent environmental damage. Our 24/7 emergency crews provide rapid containment of leaks and overflows, emergency tank cleaning and product recovery, confined space rescue coordination, and hazardous waste removal and disposal.

Emergency Hotline: 800-727-9796 available around the clock for immediate tank cleaning emergencies requiring professional intervention.

Service-Driven: Trained Teams and Safety Focus

OSHA-trained PRCS teams operating under written confined space entry programs with designated entrants, attendants, and supervisors. All field personnel complete HAZWOPER training and annual refreshers. Confined space rescue equipment and trained rescue personnel on-site for every entry. Strong safety performance supported by documented programs, training, and job-specific planning.

Client-Focused: Direct Access and Accountability

Family-owned business with 25+ years in environmental services. Real people answer phones 7 AM–5 PM weekdays with direct project manager access via cell phone. 24/7 emergency hotline: 800-727-9796. Single point of contact managing isolation, cleaning, waste disposal, and documentation—no coordination across multiple vendors.

Guaranteed Compliance: Inspection-Ready Documentation

25+ years supporting compliant projects with inspection-ready documentation. Every tank cleaning project includes confined space entry permits and atmospheric monitoring logs, waste characterization reports and profiles, EPA hazardous waste manifests or applicable shipping papers, disposal receipts from RCRA-permitted facilities, and post-cleaning inspection reports with photo documentation. This documentation satisfies OSHA requirements, supports EPA compliance, and protects facilities during inspections and audits.