Do Your Safety Cans and Handling Procedures Meet OSHA Requirements?
With the amount of small gasoline powered equipment used in golf course maintenance you already know that gasoline is extremely flammable and dangerous, but do you know what all of OSHA’s requirements related to gasoline and safety cans are? And more importantly, are you in compliance with those requirements?
Being in compliance with all of OSHA’s regulations is essential not only to protect yourself in case of an audit, but also to protect yourself, your club, and your employees.
OSHA has strict regulations for the handling, storing and use of flammable liquids, and compliance with these regulations begins with the use of approved safety cans. The cans you use should be approved by OSHA.
Can you use those red plastic $5.00 gas cans on your golf course? If you didn’t guess the answer, the answer is NO!
OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1926.152(a)(1) states “Only approved containers and portable tanks shall be used for storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids. Approved safety cans or Department of Transportation approved containers shall be used for the handling and use of flammable liquids in quantities of 5 gallons or less.
Approved cans have:
These rules apply to flammable liquids stored in quantities of 1-5 gallons. Liquids under one gallon may be kept in their original containers. It’s important to note that OSHA approval is not the same as EPA approval or AQMD approval. When selecting a safety can, you need to make sure that it is OSHA approved, none of these other approval marks ensures OSHA approval. Those cheap plastic gas cans may meet EPA guidelines, yet not meet OSHA guidelines. Remember, regulatory agency approvals are not interchangeable. As a general guideline, most Department of Transportation (DOT) approved cans are approved by OSHA. If you will be transporting the liquids by vehicle, the cans must be DOT approved.
OSHA also has strict regulations that determine where these cans may be stored:
When your quantity of gasoline in cans (Class 1 Flammability) exceeds 25 gallons it should be stored in an approved flammable cabinet. Conversely, no more than 60 gallons of gasoline may be stored inside flammable cabinets.
Safe handling of safety cans is also very important. Most accidents can be prevented by following a few simple safety rules:
Refuelling equipment may also pose several safety hazards so make sure you and your employees follow these safety tips:
In order to protect your equipment, you should also make sure that everyone is aware of the different types of fuel you use for each piece of equipment. Most of you have had an employee fill up a diesel mower from the gasoline pump or worse yet, have had someone put straight fuel into equipment that needs fuel/oil mix.
Make sure all employees know your system to prevent this. It varies from course to course but labels, color codes are the most common. These are a few of the most important and relevant safety rules and procedures to follow at your golf operation. Keep in mind that there is a long list of safety regulations that you need to be aware of, and ensuring your compliance with all OSHA, state and local regulations is no simple task. If you’re unsure whether your golf operation’s safety plans and procedures meet all requirements, schedule a call with us below.
RECEIVE FREE POSTERS & SAFETY TIPS
to subscribe to our newsletter, get free safety posters and more safety resources!
MORE SAFETY ARTICLES
Golf course facilities store several potentially hazardous chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and fungicides. That means when it comes to chemical safety in the workplace, there’s no such thing as an OVERreaction. Every one of your crew members, whether they work directly or indirectly, with chemicals, should be aware of the risks involved and
Did you know there are eight million lightning strikes worldwide, daily? Annually,100-200 people are killed by lightning strikes, with many more being injured. Golfers and golf course employees are at especially high risk when hazardous weather approaches. So how do you keep your crew safe from lightning strikes? We spoke to Brian Birney, CGCS, who
Working on the golf course can be incredibly rewarding for both the superintendent and the crew, but this job doesn’t come without risks! To maintain a safe, healthy workplace with consistently high morale, you must properly inform your crew on how to avoid safety hazards. Part of that process is helping your crew understand their
On the golf course, your crew works with mowers, tractors, bunker rakes, and other utility vehicles. All of these vehicles have batteries, and just like on all devices, these batteries won’t last forever. Vehicle batteries usually last a few years, depending on how well they’re cared for. However, a minor mistake like leaving a key
15 items that should be in your first aid kit Accidents can happen any day, especially in golf course maintenance. Your crew is exposed to a myriad of hazards, so first aid is an essential part of your safety program. In most circumstances, it will take more than a few minutes to get medical attention
Safety When Working Near Golfers Given that a golf course is a sporting venue as well as a place of work, it’s important to prioritize safety for both golfers and staff. Golf may seem like a safe sport but flying golf balls can cause serious injuries. There are a few things that employers can do,
Sign up for our newsletter here