1910.106(d)(6)(iv): Securing Flammable Liquid Storage Areas
Employers must protect flammable liquid storage areas against tampering or trespassers where necessary and keep them free of weeds, debris and other combustible material not necessary to the storage.
Key takeaways
- 1910.106(d)(6)(iv) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $24,057 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (3), HI (2), PA (2).
- Related part: 1910.106(d) Container and portable tank storage (357 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.106(d)(6)(iv) ("Security") is one requirement inside 1910.106 Flammable liquids, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(iv) Security. The storage area shall be protected against tampering or trespassers where necessary and shall be kept free of weeds, debris and other combustible material not necessary to the storage. 11 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.106.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.106(d)(6)(iv).
At 3:54 p.m. on June 6, 2024, an employee working as a machine operator for a sheet metal manufacturer was working alongside a coworker. The pair were settingup and operating a Bodor CNC Laser cutting machine cutting 4-foot by 8-foot pieces of sheet metal. They…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 5 |
Top states: VA (3), HI (2), PA (2), TN (1), VT (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SMITH-MIDLAND CORPORATION | MIDLAND, VA | $12,135 |
| ADVANCED CONCRETE SYSTEMS INC. | MIDDLEBURG, PA | $5,288 |
| ST MARTIN AMERICA INC. | CRESSONA, PA | $4,000 |
| PLAS-TECH, LTD | HONOLULU, HI | $1,594 |
| LAB INVENTORY SYSTEMS, INC. | FREDERICK, MD | $840 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.106(d)(6)(iv), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.106(d)(6)(iv).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.106(d) Container and portable tank storage 357 citations
- 1910.106(d)(2) Design, construction, and capacity of containers 125 citations
- 1910.106(d)(2)(i) General 83 citations
- 1910.106(d)(4) Design and construction of inside storage rooms 67 citations
- 1910.106(d)(3) Design, construction, and capacity of storage cabinets 65 citations
- 1910.106(d)(3)(ii) Fire resistance 59 citations
- 1910.106(d)(5) Storage inside building 55 citations
- 1910.106(d)(2)(iii) Size 39 citations
- 1910.106(d)(4)(i) Construction 26 citations
- 1910.106(d)(7) Fire control 23 citations
- 1910.106(d)(4)(iv) Ventilation 22 citations
- 1910.106(d)(6) Storage outside buildings 22 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Must flammable liquid storage be secured?
Yes, it must be protected against tampering or trespassers where necessary.
What must be kept out of the storage area?
Weeds, debris and other combustible material not necessary to the storage.
Why keep weeds and debris away?
They are combustible material that could feed a fire.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.106 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-21
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.