Lubricant Storage Regulations : The Ins and Outs.

Imagine going about your daily work routine and you receive a call that a gearbox has just discharged oil everywhere. You go into reactive mode. You haven’t arrived on the scene yet to assess the extent of the situation, but you have a general idea of what needs to be done – stop the equipment to prevent further damage and put down material to absorb the oil that has leaked out already. 
 Next, you think about how to fix the equipment. Exactly how much oil has leaked out? How much oil was in the equipment? Did the oil reach a drain or water source? Do you have the proper tools and equipment to handle a situation like this? Do you need to notify your state’s department of natural resources? Could the situation have been prevented? 

Unfortunately, this is the reality many people face everyday when they report to work. At any time, an accident or machine failure could occur, discharging oil. The good news is you can prepare yourself and others for these situations before they arise. In some circumstances, government regulations may come into play. Therefore, it is important to know what these regulations are and if they apply to your plant.

OSHA and EPA Regulations


According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), any container that can hold 55 gallons or more of lubricant is considered bulk lubricant storage. This means it is not necessary to count the storage volume for top-up containers, 5-gallon pails and even small equipment. However, you will need to concern yourself with containers that have a capacity of 55 gallons or more, including gearboxes, reservoirs, hydraulic units, storage containers, etc. These capacities should be included in your total oil storage amounts when determining whether federal regulations apply.


The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) breaks down this accumulative amount into 1,320 gallons of above-ground storage and 42,000 gallons of underground storage. Facilities with accumulative amounts less than these volumes will not be required to have a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan. Still, it is a good idea to put some provisions in place for accidental oil discharges. For plants with storage amounts greater than these OSHA standards, the first step should be to plan for an oil spill. 


4 Keys for Better Lubricant Storage

1. Develop Training Programs — A training program that notifies workers once and then gets lost in the daily shuffle will not be effective. These programs must be updated and include periodic training for personnel.
2. Purchase the Proper Equipment — How can you be prepared if you don’t have the right tools? Having the proper safety equipment can prevent disaster.
3. Use Visual Cues in the Field — Walk down key drains that can navigate to waterways, identify them appropriately and share this information with all plant personnel.
4. Listen to Personnel on the Plant Floor — These are the individuals who see the flaws within the systems they use every day. Listen to their suggestions and then take action.