Cleaning of Storage Tanks

Shell HSSE & SP Control Framework Mandatory

Personal Safety Manual Restricted

Version 2, December 2009

Purpose
To manage the Risks associated with the cleaning of Storage Tanks.

Who is this for?

Managers; and
Contract Holders.

What situations are/are not covered

This manual section applies to:
Storage Tanks for hydrocarbons, chemicals and effluent, including underground and
refrigerated tanks.

This manual section does not apply to:

Cavern storage; and
Pressure vessels.

Requirements
The Manager is Accountable for requirements 1 to 3:

1. Apply the Hierarchy Of Control as follows:

First: Minimise the need for or reduce the frequency of tank cleaning.
Second: Use Online Cleaning methods that do not require the opening of, or entry into,
tanks.
Third: Use mechanical cleaning options that do not require people to enter tanks.
Fourth: Allow personnel entry and manual cleaning of tanks where supported by a
documented Risk Assessment. Reference Confined Space Work.

2. Establish and maintain Procedures for tank cleaning in accordance with

Internationally Recognised Standards.
2.1. Procedures must include:
2.1.1. Pre-cleaning inspection to assess the tank contents and roof condition.
2.1.2. Precautions during gas freeing to include vehicle and personnel access
restrictions, control of ignition sources and weather conditions.
2.1.3. Emergency Response arrangements during tank cleaning.

3. Apply the Permit to Work for all tank cleaning and recognise, as a minimum, the
Hazards:
o fire and explosion;
o toxic substances and asphyxiation;
o static electricity due to steam and water jetting and grit blasting; and
o pyrophoric scale.

The Contract Holder is Accountable for requirement 4:

4. Select a specialist Contractor for tank cleaning in line with Contractor HSSE
Management.
Implementation Deadlines

Businesses must now implement requirements of this manual section as soon as practicable,
with risk-based prioritisation against other activities.

Gap assessment and closure plan: Developed by the Businesses

Latest date: June 30, 20010

Requirements into effect: Developed by the Businesses

Latest date: December 31, 2013
Assurance Protocol

Requirement in manual Key Words Survey Questions Field

section Observatio
ns
&
Document
ation,
Testing
Purpose Cleaning Review tank
To manage the Risks associated tanks cleaning
with the cleaning of storage records
tanks. Contractor
documentat
Who is this for? ion
Managers; and Interview
Contract Holders. Managers,
Contract
What situations are/are not Holders
covered?
This manual section applies to:
Storage tanks for
hydrocarbons, chemicals
and effluent, including
underground and
refrigerated tanks.

This manual section does not

apply to:
cavern storage; and
pressure vessels.
The Manager is Accountable for requirements 1-3 below:

Requirement in manual Key Words Survey Questions Field

section Observatio
ns
&
Document
ation,
Testing
1. Apply the Hierarchy of Control How have you assessed Risks Inspect
Control as follows: Hierarchy during tank cleaning operations planned
First: Minimise the need for Application and applied the Hierarchy of maintenanc
or reduce the frequency of Control to minimise them? e schedules
tank cleaning. Tank
Second: Use Online cleaning
Cleaning methods that do Risk
not require the opening of, Assessment
or Entry into, tanks. documents
Third: Use mechanical Method
cleaning options that do not Statements
require people to enter / Job
tanks. Hazard
Fourth: Allow personnel Analysis
Entry and manual cleaning
of tanks where supported
by a documented Risk
Assessment. Reference
Confined Space Work.
2. Establish and Maintain Tank
Procedures for tank cleaning
cleaning in accordance Procedures
with Internationally
Recognised Standards.
2.1. Procedures must Procedures What are the local Procedures Inspect gas
include: Standards for tank cleaning operations, free
2.1.1. Pre-cleaning what do they cover and how certificates
Inspection to are they documented? Review
assess the tank How do you know that your Emergency
contents and roof local Procedures comply with all Response
condition. appropriate Internationally Plans and
recognised standards? equipment
2.1.2. Precautions during
gas freeing to
include vehicle and
personnel access
restrictions,
control of ignition
sources and
weather
conditions.
2.1.3. Emergency
Response
arrangements
during tank
cleaning.
3. Apply the Permit to Work PTW How does your Permit to Work Review
 Requirement in manual Key Words Survey Questions Field
section Observatio
ns
&
Document
ation,
Testing
for all tank cleaning and (PTW) system cover work on actual PTW
recognise, as a tank cleaning operations? to ensure
minimum, the Hazards: What Hazards are recognised compliance
o fire and explosion; and what Controls does the with
o toxic substances and PTW require? requirement
asphyxiation; s outlined in
o static electricity due to section 3
steam and water jetting
and grit blasting; and
o pyrophoric scale.

The Contract Holder is Accountable for requirement 4 below:

Requirement in manual Key Words Survey Questions Field

section Observatio
ns
&
Document
ation,
Testing
4. Select a competent Contractor How do you select your tank Review
Contractor for tank selection cleaning Contractors and assess contract
cleaning, in line with their Competence? documentat
Contractor HSSE ion
Management. Pre-
selection
assessment
s and
Competenc
e
documentat
ion,
including
licences