No. Oils, solvents and fuels are flammable or combustible liquids, and every service requires them to be kept in original closed containers, approved safety cans, or approved portable tanks — open containers are prohibited outright, and glass is prohibited with them. The rule is written into the Air Force's DAFMAN 91-203 and mirrored in each service's safety manual, so an open can sitting out on the line is a finding wherever you are.
Readers asked this on CheckMyRegs and CheckMyAFI 17 times — this page answers it from the official catalogs and the publications’ own text.
| Branch | Controlling publication | Dated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force | DAFMAN 91-203 Current Consolidated occupational safety manual; chapter 22 is the controlling text | 2026-02-24 | Official link |
| Coast Guard | COMDTINST M5100.47D Current Safety and Environmental Health Manual | 2021-07-27 | Official link |
| Army | AR 385-10 Current Army Safety Program | 2023-07-24 | Official link |
| Navy | OPNAVINST 5100.23H Current Navy Safety and Occupational Health Program | 2020-06-05 | Official link |
| Marine Corps | MCO 5100.29C VOLUMES 1-9 w/CH-2 Current Marine Corps Safety Management System | 2022-02-08 | Official link |
| DoD-wide | DoDI 6055.01 Current DoD-wide safety and occupational health policy above all of them | 2014-10-14 | Official link |
Flammable and combustible liquids must be in their original closed container, an approved safety can, or an approved portable tank — open or glass containers are not authorized at all.
“27.6.2. Containers. Flammable or combustible liquids brought into spray finishing rooms will be in original closed containers, approved portable tanks, approved safety cans, or by a properly arranged system of piping. (T-0) Containers will be marked IAW AFI 90-821. (T-1) Open or glass containers will not be used. (T-0)”
Draw or transfer liquid only through closed piping, from a safety can, through a top-mounted device, or by gravity through an approved self-closing valve — never by pouring from an open vessel.
“22.8.6. Handling Flammable and Combustible Liquids at Final Point of Use. Flammable and combustible liquids will be drawn from or transferred into vessels, containers, or portable tanks within a building only through a closed piping system, from safety cans, by means of a device through the top, or from a container or portable tanks by gravity through an approved self - closing valve. (T-0) Transferring by means of air pressure on the container or portable tanks is prohibited. Refer to 29 CFR § 1910.106 for additional information.”
Any operation using fuels or solvents must be watched continuously, and open solvent or fuel containers near electrical equipment or pilot lights are called out by name as a hazard.
“22.2.4. Operations where fuels, solvents or other flammable liquids are used must be constantly observed to avoid unsafe practices. (T-0) It is hazardous to use fuels (such as gasoline) to clean floors or clothing or use open solvent or gasoline containers near electrical equipment or pilot lights. The use of low-flashpoint petroleum solvents will be avoided, when possible. (T-0) Open flames, heaters, equipment not properly grounded and non -explosion proof electrical equipment will not be used in the prese nce of flammable or combustible liquids. (T-0) Refer to NFPA 30 for additional guidance.”
Anyone dispensing flammable or combustible liquid has to be trained on static electricity hazards — the static generated by pouring is enough to ignite vapor.
“22.3.1.3. Individuals involved in dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids are instructed on hazards of static electricity. (T-0)”
Containers stored outside must be protected from heat sources, and no open flame or smoking is permitted within fifty feet of a flammable or combustible liquid storage area.
“22.8.3. Outside Storage. All containers having flammable or combustible materials will be protected from heat sources to prevent the content expanding and pressurizing the container, which could rupture the container. (T-0) Open flame or smoking will not be permitted within 50 feet of flammable or combustible liquid storage areas. (T-0)”
Coast Guard policy is explicit that these liquids are stored in approved lockers at the end of the workday, and that all ignition sources are prohibited where they are handled.
“b. All sources of ignition shall be prohibited in areas where flammable and combustible liquids are stored, handled and/or processed. Appropriate “NO SMOKING, MATCHES, or OPEN FLAME” signs shall be posted in all such areas as required. c. Flammable and combustible liquids shall not be used in areas where open flames or heating devices are present and shall be properly stored in approved lockers at the end 18-5 of the workday. Flammable and combustible liquids shall not be stored in areas used for exits, stairways or safe passage of people.”
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Updated 2026-08-01. CheckMyRegs is an unofficial index — always cite the official publication.