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By: FEDweek StaffThe IG at the Postal Service has warned of “environmental and safety hazards for facility personnel” from above-ground storage tanks—of which the USPS has some 5,500 at some 3,800 facilities—containing fluid products and waste such as motor oil, gasoline and diesel fuel, heating oil and antifreeze.
It found that while facilities with such tanks must establish a routine maintenance and inspection program to monitor their condition, those practices aren’t always being followed, resulting in some “being in poor condition and non-compliant with guidance.” It identified issues including “management not conducting monthly visual inspections, maintaining Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures in the system, or completing required annual SPCC training.”
In a sample of 178 facilities, for example, 160 “did not conduct any monthly inspections during FY 2021, as required,” which increases the risk of “spills which threaten human health and safety.” In their inspections of 73 tanks, auditors found that 39 were not in compliance with standards, including 20 whose contents were not labeled, three that “were on support/foundation that was in poor condition” and two that had “visible leaks.”
“In addition, facility management did not upload supporting documentation into the required system after taking corrective actions so management could validate resolution of issues,” it said.
The report said management generally agreed with its recommendations including reinforcing the need for training of employees with responsibilities for preventing and controlling spills, and promised to inspect the tanks the auditors found not in compliance with standards.
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