Tank Cleaner

Tank Cleaner

Performs the cleaning, gas-freeing, and preparation of cargo tanks, ballast tanks, holds, and confined spaces aboard vessels, barges, and shore-side storage tanks. The role involves physically demanding work in confined spaces and industrial environments, including the manual handling, lifting, and movement of heavy equipment, hoses, pumps, and materials. This position requires strict adherence to safety protocols, particularly those governing confined space entry, hazardous materials, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Enter and clean cargo tanks, ballast tanks, bilges, holds, and other confined spaces aboard ships, barges, and at terminal facilities in accordance with confined space entry procedures.
• Remove residual cargo, sludge, sediment, scale, and debris using hand tools, scrapers, shovels, vacuums, and high-pressure/hydro-blasting equipment.
• Operate pressure washers, chemical applicators, pumps, blowers, and ventilation equipment.
• Perform gas-freeing and ventilation of tanks and assist with atmospheric testing under supervision of qualified personnel.
• Handle, contain, and properly dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials per company, local, state, and federal regulations (EPA, USCG, OSHA).
• Assist with mucking out, squeegeeing, mopping, and final wipe-down of tank interiors to inspection-ready condition.
• Manually lift, carry, and position equipment and materials weighing up to 5075 lbs regularly, and team-lift heavier loads as required.
• Rig, drag, and deploy heavy hoses, pumps, lighting, ventilation ducting, and staging equipment into and out of tanks and confined spaces.
• Load and unload trucks, vans, and work boats with tools, drums, and supplies.
• Assist with the setup and breakdown of scaffolding, staging, ladders, and access equipment.
• Perform general housekeeping, site cleanup, and equipment maintenance duties.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow all confined space entry permits, lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, and hot work protocols.
• Properly don, use, and maintain assigned PPE, including respirators (supplied-air or cartridge), chemical suits, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, and steel-toed boots.
• Participate in pre-job safety briefings (JSAs/toolbox talks) and report all hazards, incidents, and near-misses immediately.
• Maintain awareness of vessel and terminal safety rules, emergency procedures, and evacuation routes.
• Comply with OSHA 1915 (Shipyard Employment), USCG, and facility-specific regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background check.
• Ability to obtain a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) card.
• Ability to pass respirator fit testing and medical clearance for respirator use (clean-shaven requirement for respirator seal).
• Reliable transportation and ability to work at various port/terminal locations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Frequently lift and carry up to 50 lbs; occasionally lift up to 75 lbs with assistance.
• Climb vertical ladders and stairs, and enter tanks through manholes as small as 1824 inches in diameter.
• Work in confined, dark, hot, cold, wet, slippery, and poorly ventilated spaces for extended periods.
• Stand, stoop, kneel, crawl, crouch, bend, and reach for prolonged periods.
• Work at heights and over water; must be comfortable aboard vessels and barges.
• Tolerate exposure to petroleum products, chemicals, fumes, dust, and noise (with proper PPE).
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Availability for overtime, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-outs; work schedules follow vessel and terminal demands.