The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), established under the Department of Labor by the OSHA Act of 1970, regulates the storage and use of toxic and hazardous substances as they relate to worker health and safety. OSHA regulations are found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1910, Subpart H.

The OSHA Act requires employers to comply with OSHA standards and regulations and to protect employees from recognized hazards in the workplace. OSHA enforces its rules and regulations by inspecting the workplaces of employers. When violations are discovered during inspections, OSHA issues citations and proposes monetary penalties. OSHA encourages companies to participate in Voluntary Protection Programs. Employers who participate in these Voluntary Compliance Programs develop a new relationship with OSHA and are not subject to programmed inspections; however, compliance remains mandatory.

For more information about Occupational Safety and Health Administration, visit the OSHA web site, or call OSHA at (202) 219-8271

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addresses through the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the need for facilities with hazardous waste substances to store containers in some kind of containment system.

Stationary containers, such as tanks, as well as portable storage containers, such as 55 gallon drums, are required to have a system that will protect the environment from this waste if a leak were to occur. Hazardous waste regulations appear in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Portable container containment is addressed under Subpart I, Use and Management of Containers (EPA 40 CFR 264.175). Facilities dealing with the storage of hazardous materials may also be required to have containment if they are to meet the Uniform Fire Code (UFC) standards. Within the UFC standards, Section 80, Division III refers to Hazardous Materials Storage Requirements pertaining to containers and tanks and Division IV refers to Spill Containment with regard to hazardous materials.

For more information about the Environmental Protection Agency, visit the EPA web site, or call the EPA at (800) 621-3431

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) serves as the focal point in the Federal Government for the coordinated National Transportation Policy. The DOT has authority over the shipping and transporting of hazardous materials, including packaging and labeling. The DOT regulations can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations under Title 49 and are based largely upon the recommendations as per the United Nations (UN).

For more information about the Department of Transportation, visit the DOT web site.

Since 1896, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been the most recognized non-profit organization in the world dedicated to the protection of human life and property from the hazards of fire.

For more information about the National Fire Protection Association, visit the NFPA web site, or call the NFPA at (800) 344-3555.