1910.106(d)(6)(iii): Spill Containment for Flammable Liquid Storage
Flammable liquid storage areas must be graded to divert spills away from buildings or other exposures, or be surrounded by a curb at least 6 inches high. Curbed areas need a way to drain ground water, rain water or spills, with drains ending at a safe location and accessible during a fire.
Key takeaways
- 1910.106(d)(6)(iii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 7 times in the last 3 years, in 7 inspections, with $19,055 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- 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)(iii) ("Spill containment") 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
(iii) Spill containment. The storage area shall be graded in a manner to divert possible spills away from buildings or other exposures or shall be surrounded by a curb at least 6 inches high. When curbs are used, provisions shall be made for draining of accumulations of ground or rain water or spills of flammable liquids. Drains shall terminate at a safe location and shall be accessible to operation under fire conditions. 7 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)(iii).
At approximately 1:00 p.m. on December 10, 2024, an employee was operating a powered industrial truck in the yard. The forklift overturned and landed on top of the operator, causing fatal mechanical asphyxiation and blunt force trauma.
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Spill containment of flammable or combustible liquids when a curb or earth dike is used. (1993-11-09)
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
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Frequently asked questions
How high must a spill curb be?
At least 6 inches high.
Is a curb the only option?
No. The area may instead be graded to divert spills away from buildings or other exposures.
What about water collecting inside the curb?
Provisions must be made for draining it, and drains must end at a safe location and be accessible during fire conditions.
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.