Hot work, such as welding, by storage tanks is obviously dangerous. But even tanks which are seemingly empty or contain normally non-flammable substances are risks for explosions. In this podcast, Dan Clark tells the story of how a storage container of just water and fish residue caused an explosion and worker death during hot work.

Tanks should be continuously monitored for combustible gas, as the danger of flammable gases often increases from early morning to midday when tanks are heated by the sun. Dan also relays other recommendations from the US Chemical Safety Board and OSHA on preparing for welding, grinding, cutting and other hot work by storage tanks.