The main purpose of Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations is to prevent accidents in the workplace resulting in injuries, illnesses or deaths. Drum storage racking systems are methods of storing industrial drums that contain liquids. Below is an explanation of OSHA regulations regarding drum-storing systems.
OSHA Facts
OSHA was formed in 1971 in an effort to ensure worker safety. Since its inception, nonfatal injuries in the workplace have dropped by 60 percent, according to OSHA. As of 2008, OSHA employed more than 2,000 inspectors, administrators and safety officers, among others. OSHA's emphasis is on providing effective enforcement, safety and health standards, training and education, and compliance assistance (see Resources below).
Weight Regulations
There are no precise OSHA regulations for drum storage racking systems; instead, these storage systems fall under the general duty clause. The clause seeks to ensure that installation directions are strictly followed as per the specifications provided by the manufacturer. OSHA standards outline weight compliance of the drum with the respect to the quantity stored in it. For example, if the manufacturer reports the drum has the capacity for storing 500 liters of liquid, then the liquid stored inside must not exceed that. The total number of drums kept on a drum storage racking system must not exceed the weight-bearing capacity of the racking system, which is also specified by the manufacturer.
General Duty Clause
OSHA's general duty clause applies to all industrial storage systems, and includes such provisions as having a support system at the back of storage racks to prevent the stored material from falling off the storage system, and also having proper anchoring and bolting of the racks (see Resources below).
Safety Checklists
OSHA regulations first look out for the safety of those who work around drum storage racking systems. Suitable equipment must be available for workers to handle the heavy drums and for placing them on the racks. Workers must be trained to do the job, and OSHA monitors employers to make sure training is provided. Racks must be checked on a routine basis under OSHA rules, and a proper checklist must be kept for the routine maintenance schedule of the drums, as well as the racking system.
Hazardous Materials
OSHA provides additional regulations for drum storage racking systems that house hazardous materials, with the caveat that if a company can prove that workers will not be exposed to the hazardous materials, these regulations will not apply.
These regulations ensure that "hazardous substances are removed, contained, incinerated, neutralized, destabilized, cleared up, or in any other manner processed or handled with the ultimate goal of making the site safer for people or the environment" (see Resources below).
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