Whether you run a family gas station, an aircraft refueling operation, a large oil company, a farm, a trucking company, or any business that stores and dispenses fuel, staying safe is a matter of following correct procedure and implementing proper safeguards. Here are a few handy tips adapted from the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted near any refueling operations. Doing so could cause a serious fire and injury.
Emergency equipment
Employees should know how to locate and use all emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers, emergency shutoff buttons, fire alarms, and emergency telephones.
Portable containers
Be sure employees can identify approved portable gasoline containers. Employees should not fill containers in a trunk, boat, or pickup bed.
Fueling procedures
Be sure your employees know the following procedures. Assign them to shadow another worker until you are sure they understand the process.
- Begin fueling only after the customer has stopped the engine, placed the vehicle in park, and set the parking brake.
- If you recently came into contact with carpet or upholstery, be sure to discharge static electricity before touching the nozzle. You can do this by touching something metal away from the nozzle.
- The optimum nozzle setting for speed of delivery is between one-half and three-fourths open. Fast delivery may result in a spill.
- Remain in full view of the nozzle while refueling.
- When the nozzle clicks off, the tank is considered full. Topping off the tank is prohibited by Oregon Administrative Rules.
In case of fire
Use the emergency pump shutoff. Call 911 to report the accident, or press the fire alarm if no phone is available.
First aid procedures
If you are exposed to gasoline or diesel, follow these emergency procedures. If the exposure is serious, call 911.
Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes.
Skin: Wash exposed areas with soap and water.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Call 911.
Inhalation: Gasoline and diesel inhalation can cause a host of symptoms, from dizziness to headaches to seizures. If you or a co-worker experience adverse effects and believe it is due to gasoline or diesel fumes, move to fresh air. Call 911 if needed.
This article is from the fall 2012 issue of Comp News. See other articles from this publication.