Fuel Storage Tanks on Jobsites

Construction sites run on fuel: diesel for equipment and generators, gasoline for small engines and propane for heaters. Fuel tanks and cans on a site can leak, catch fire or explode, and they can pollute soil and water. Safe storage and handling keeps people, equipment and the environment protected.

• Construction
• Equipment
• Environment

Know your fuel

• Gasoline is highly flammable. Its vapors ignite easily, travel along the ground and can explode. See Flammable Liquids.
• Diesel is a combustible liquid. It is harder to ignite than gasoline but burns readily when heated or sprayed as mist.
• Propane and other fuel gases are stored as pressurized gas. See Propane and Compressed Gas Cylinders.
• Check the Safety Data Sheet for flash point and storage rules. See Safety Data Sheets and NFPA 30.

OSHA rules for flammable liquids on construction sites

OSHA’s construction rules for flammable liquids are in 29 CFR 1926.152. Highlights, in plain language (check the standard and local fire code for details):

• Use approved containers. Approved safety cans (with spring-closing lids and spouts and flame arrestors) are required for handling and use of flammable liquids in quantities up to 5 gallons. Don’t use glass jars, open buckets or old milk jugs.
• Limit what is stored in work areas. Generally, no more than 25 gallons of flammable liquids may be stored in a room outside of an approved storage cabinet, and storage cabinets are limited in the quantity of Class I and II liquids they may hold (60 gallons) or Class III (120 gallons). See Chemical Storage & Compatibility.
• Store larger amounts outdoors, in tanks or approved containers kept at a safe distance from buildings, as the standard and local fire rules specify. Many fire codes limit tank locations and quantities, so check with the fire marshal.
• Provide a fire extinguisher rated at least 20-B within 25 feet but not closer than 10 feet of storage areas and dispensing points. See Fire Extinguishers (PASS).
• Post “No Smoking or Open Flame” signs in storage and dispensing areas, and enforce them.
• Provide ventilation where vapors could collect, and don’t store flammable liquids in exits or stairways.

Portable and aboveground tanks

• Use tanks made for fuel, such as approved double-wall or containment-type tanks, with vents, caps and fill and discharge connections that meet the maker’s and local fire rules. Don’t use homemade or repurposed drums and tanks.
• Set tanks on a stable, level surface, away from traffic, or protected by barriers or bollards. Chock and secure trailers and skids. See Work Zones.
• Place tanks away from buildings, ignition sources, power lines and storm drains. Keep the area free of weeds, trash and combustible materials.
• Label each tank and container with the contents and hazards, and keep the SDS available. See Hazard Communication.
• Inspect tanks, hoses, nozzles, gaskets and fittings regularly for leaks, rust, damage and cracks, and fix problems right away.
• Keep tanks locked when not in use to prevent theft and tampering, and protect them from vehicle impact.
• Never weld, cut, grind or use torches on or near a fuel tank unless it has been properly emptied, purged and tested. See Drums & Tanks: Hot Work.

Dispensing and fueling safely

• Turn off engines before fueling, and keep ignition sources, such as cigarettes, flames, torches and running welders, away. See Equipment Fueling and Smoking & Vaping.
• Bond and ground when transferring flammable liquids between metal containers, to prevent static sparks. See Static, Bonding & Grounding.
• Never fill a portable container sitting in a pickup bed or truck with a plastic liner. Place it on the ground to dissipate static.
• Don’t overfill, and don’t top off. Leave room for expansion. Watch the nozzle, and stay with it while fueling.
• Use only approved nozzles and pumps. Never siphon gasoline by mouth. Don’t use gasoline to start fires or clean tools or skin.
• Let hot equipment cool before refueling, when possible.
• Clean up spills right away with absorbents, and dispose of them correctly. Keep oily rags in covered metal containers. See Oily Rags.

Spills and environmental rules

• Provide secondary containment for tanks and drums, such as a dike, a berm or a double-walled tank, big enough to hold the spill. Keep rainwater out, and drain it safely.
• Keep spill kits with absorbent pads, booms, gloves and disposal bags near fuel areas. Train workers to use them. See Spill Response.
• The EPA’s Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule requires a written plan for facilities that store oil above certain amounts, generally when aboveground oil storage in containers of 55 gallons or more totals more than 1,320 gallons, and could reach navigable waters. Many construction sites with large fuel tanks must have one. See Stormwater & SWPPP.
• Report significant spills to the right agencies, such as the National Response Center and state and local authorities, as required, and tell your supervisor right away.

Fire and emergency plans

• Make sure the fire department can reach the fuel area, and keep emergency numbers posted. See Jobsite Fire Prevention and Emergency Action Plans.
• Know the shutoff points and how to stop the flow. In a fuel fire, evacuate and call 911, and only fight a small fire if you are trained and have a clear exit.
• Train workers who handle fuel on the hazards, procedures and spill response.

Fuel storage checklist

• Approved safety cans and tanks only; amounts within limits; cabinets used for indoor storage
• Tanks on stable ground, away from buildings and ignition sources, with containment
• 20-B (or larger) extinguisher in place; no-smoking signs posted
• Bonding and grounding used; engines off while fueling; no overfilling
• Spill kit and plan on hand; SPCC plan if over the thresholds
• Tanks inspected, labeled and locked when not in use

Last updated: October 4, 2026