COVER AS-SOUND SUPPRESSION 4503405 - Caterpillar

Basic Precautions
The fuel tank and/or hydraulic tank must be drained of all fuel and/or oil so that there is no residual fuel and/or oil left in the tank.
Extreme caution shall be used when work is performed on a tank or a container that holds or has held flammable, combustible, or other hazardous substances.Extreme caution shall be used when work is performed on a tank or a container that contains vapors related to the substances that are stored or were previously stored therein.Before any work is performed on a tank or container that has held flammable, combustible, or other hazardous substances, the tank, or container shall be made safe.The person conducting the work shall have a thorough understanding of the following:
The characteristics of the substance that is or was previously stored in the tank or container.
The potential health and safety risks associated with the work to be conducted.
The procedures for safeguarding the tank or container prior to conducting the work.Preparing the Tank for Cleaning
Determination of hazardous characteristics of contents.Before any tank or container is cleaned, the hazardous characteristics of the substance previously help by the tank or container shall be determined by a qualified person.Unknown substances.If the source and identity of the material in the container cannot be determined, and if chemical analysis cannot be performed, the tank or container shall be disposed of according to local, state, and federal regulations.Designation of cleaning procedure.A qualified person shall designate the cleaning procedure to assure that the cleaning can be performed safely in an environmentally responsible manner and can render the container free of all hazardous concentration of materials.Tank or container location.The tank or container shall be moved outdoors, if practical. If the tank or container is cleaned indoors, the room shall be well vented so that hazardous vapors will not accumulate and will be carried away from the worker's breathing zone quickly and safely.Tank or container contents.The tank or container shall be emptied and drained thoroughly, including all internal piping, traps, and standpipes. Sludge and sediment shall be removed. All residue and used cleaning agents shall be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner according to local, state, and federal regulations.Cleaning Methods
Water cleaning.Where the substance is known to be safely and readily soluble in water, the residue can be removed by completely filling the container with water and draining several times.Hot chemical solution cleaning.This method generally uses trisodium phosphate or a commercial caustic cleaning compound dissolved in hot water. Care must be taken to guard against injury from vapors, gases, or contact with the cleaning compounds. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be used and adequate ventilation shall be provided.Steam cleaning.This method generally uses low-pressure steam and a hot soda or soda ash solution. Solution agitation is used to flush the inside surfaces, and steam is used to promote a good cleaning action. Care must be taken to avoid injury from vapors, steam, and cleaning solution. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be used and adequate ventilation shall be provided.Note: