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Petrol and Petrol Filling Stations
Introduction Petrol is a highly flammable liquid and gives off flammable vapour even at very low temperatures. When this vapour is mixed with air in proportions between 1% and 8% a risk of fire or explosion exists. Petrol vapour is heavier than air and does not disperse easily in still conditions. It tends to sink to the lowest possible level of its surroundings and may accumulate in tanks, cavities, drains, pits or other depressions. Flammable atmospheres may also exist where clothing or other absorbent material or substances are contaminated with petrol. Petrol vapour can have acute or chronic effects if inhaled and therefore should be considered in the assessment required under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). The Petroleum Licensing Officer can be contacted at your Local Authority; they are responsible for enforcing safety at sites where petrol is delivered, stored and dispensed. The keeping of petrol must be in accordance with conditions attached to a licence issued under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928. When an Inspector appointed by the licensing authority visits a petrol filling station the aim is to ensure the observance, maintenance and, where necessary, the improvement of safety standards. Other safety-related legislation is enforced by district councils or the HSE, dependent on the main activity at the premises concerned. Petroleum licensing – petrol filling stations The Petroleum licensing authority can be contacted at your Local Authority. Working on petrol filling station forecourts presents some special issues, not least the safety of the public. For this reason UKPIA and its members have helped develop a self-regulatory scheme to ensure that workers in the industry and particularly contractors working on forecourts, are trained to meet specified standards. Oil companies and some supermarket petrol retailers require contract workers to complete a two day training course before they are allowed to work on their forecourts. Successful candidates recieve a "safety passport" which qualifies them to work on a forecourt. For more details see: UKPIA Forecourt Contractor Safety Passport Scheme. Enforcing safety aspects of petroleum delivery, storage and dispensing is the responsibility of the licensing authority’s Petroleum Officers. Such officers work to, and are able to give advice on, nationally produced guidance such as:
Other health and safety considerations In addition to the general duties established under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (s. 2, 3, 4, 7 & 8) the following legislation (covered in other elements in this manual) may also be of relevance in premises visited by local authority health and safety inspectors:
Petrol and COSHH 2002 Aspiration is the entry of liquid into the lungs following swallowing and subsequent vomiting. Petrol is classified as `Harmful by ingestion’ owing to this aspiration hazard i.e. the risk of chemical pnueumonitis, and not because of its acute toxicity i.e. poisoning, properties. Petrol is also classified as a skin irritant, due to its potential to cause dermatitis. The presence of up to 5% benzene means that petrol is classified as Carcinogenci, Category 2 (See element on `Carcinogens’ on this website for further guidance). Under COSHH 2002 a suitable and sufficient risk assessment is required for all jobs carried out involving petrol. This may involve emergency procedures (spillages or accidental ingestion) protective clothing to prevent skin contact and precautions to control exposure by inhalation. Petrol - General safety Where petrol might be used (e.g. mobile equipment, generators) or workers exposed to other petrol fire/explosion risks (e.g, garage workshops) an assessment needs to be carried out on the risks involved to ensure that adequate control measures are taken. Leaflets giving advice on petrol safety are available, covering safe storage, carriage and use. When draining petrol tanks, appropriate advice includes:
Checklist - Petrol and petrol filling stations
References / further details
For up to date guidance on the new and changing legislation as regards petrol and petrol filling stations visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petroleum.htm. |
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