Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs) must be inspected at least once a month to comply with regulatory and Postal Service™ requirements. The monthly inspection requirement applies to ASTs of any size that contain the following liquid hazardous materials:
n New and used oil.
n Gasoline, including diesel fuel.
n New and used antifreeze.
n Windshield washer fluid (if flammable).
n Wash soap (if corrosive).
n Diesel exhaust fluid.
n Heating oil.
These inspections help prevent the release of oil or other hazardous materials into the environment. The Site Installation Head, their designee, or maintenance-capable sites must do the following:
n
Conduct and document a monthly visual inspection of each AST. To document completion of the inspection and associated corrective maintenance activities, sites must use the AST inspection form located at eMARS (
emars.eng.usps.gov/pemars/EM_APP_HOMEPAGE_PRC) or the Safety and Health Management Tool at myhr.usps.gov/safety_labor/safety/manager_safety_tools.
n Ensure each AST has a label that identifies the contents and volume.
n Address any issues identified during the inspection.
n Promptly address spills and respond with appropriate actions.
Sites that store oil volumes greater than 1,320 gallons have a dedicated Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan. Sites with SPCC plans must use the inspection log in the site-specific SPCC plan.
For more information about managing ASTs (including inspection forms), use the following resources:
n Environmental Compliance Bulletin and Standard Work Instruction: Aboveground Storage Tank Management at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/environmental/_pdf/ecb-ast.pdf.
n Maintenance Management Order: Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST) at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/environmental/_pdf/mmo-002-23.pdf.
n A brief video titled “Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections” is available for credit in MyHR and provides basic instruction on how to inspect ASTs.
n Consult your designated USPS Environmental Specialist at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/regional-environmental-compliance-all.htm.
— Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability,
Corporate Affairs, 3-20-25
