Vehicle & Equipment Refuelling

Vehicle and equipment refuelling, as well as fuel storage, must be closely monitored and managed to eliminate the potential for hydrocarbon spills and hazards associated with fire and explosion. Bulk fuel storage tanks must be grounded and set up in accordance with the environmental policy. Storage tanks must be identified with the contractor’s, or subcontractor’s name, contents, product labels and flammable decals. Storage/tidy tanks in vehicles being refuelled must be bonded to the supplying tank prior to refuelling.

Note that: The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, or WHMIS is changing soon in Canada. The GHS (Globally Harmonized System) has been approved by the UN and is being implemented worldwide to improve communication and safety in workplaces where hazardous chemicals are present. Filler hoses must be bonded from the tank to the dispensing nozzle. Vehicles dispensing fuel must have a static ground, attached to the unit being fuelled. The ground must be attached prior to any refuel operations.

Equipment and vehicles must be turned off during refuelling. Smoking, welding or any spark/flame
producing operation must be stopped within a 25-ft. radius during refuelling operations. The mechanic will check above below and around the area. Signs must be set up indicating fuelling in progress.

Always be aware of line of fire, It may be easy to think that being in the line of fire isn’t a big deal, especially when the potential of the hazard actually occurring may be minimal. However, if you stick your hand in the fire enough times, you are likely to be burned.