scope:

1.1 SCOPE

The use of vacuum/pressure trucks, skids, portable tanks and trailers (herein referred to as vacuum trucks) to remove flammable and combustible liquids from tanks and equipment and to clean up liquid hydrocarbon spills has led to the development of the general safety guidelines in this publication. These guidelines are recommended as safe practices for those in the petroleum industry who use vacuum trucks. These safe practices also apply to the operation of portable vacuum tanks, skids and trailers typically used in emergency flammable and combustible liquid spill cleanup activities.

Note: Guidelines for pneumatic (air moving) trucks and hoppers, typically used in the petroleum industry for removal of noncombustible dry materials such as catalysts, dusts, powders, residue, etc., are addressed in Appendix E.