OSHA Regulations on the height of tanks

I am dealing with a citation received from Cal/OSHA on the height of our cleaning tanks. These tanks are 32 to 34 inches high and OSHA is requiring us to raise them (or use guardrails) to 36 inches. Has anyone else out there run into this problem?

Other issues: Chrome in polishing and blasting Stainless - Carcinogenic?

First of two simultaneous responses --  

Regarding tank height requirements, they do need to be raised or have guard rails, and not to 36" but to 42". You can't win this one -- please see letter 7358.

Regarding blasting and polishing, stainless steel is the FDA "material of choice" for food processing; what would lead us to even be concerned about it being carcinogenic?

Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

Second of two simultaneous responses --  

Hi LaVaughn,

Have a look in the archives # 7358 as there is a lot of very useful data ... mainly by Ted Mooney ... on the subject of tank heights.

Cheers!

Freeman Newton - White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

Ed. note: Please keep Freeman in your thoughts & prayers. Message from Freeman, Dec. 2010