Originally published 09/06/2016
The hazards involved with fueling equipment on a construction site include gas and fuel fires, spills, vapors and slips, trips and falls. Here are some precautions you should take to prevent a fueling accident:
Fueling Station
- Keep a spill kit available, and train workers to use it.
- Keep a fire extinguisher at the fueling station.
- Set up fueling stations in well-ventilated areas.
- Maintain all pumps, hoses and nozzles in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.
Fueling Your Vehicle
- Always concentrate on the task at hand.
- Do not use electronic devices, such as cell phones while fueling, because a spark could ignite a fire.
- Turn off the vehicle’s engine.
- Before dispensing fuel into your vehicle, touch a metal part of your vehicle that is not close to the fuel tank. This helps dissipate any static buildup your body created when you slid out of your vehicle.
- Never smoke while fueling. Also, make certain there are no other potential sources of ignition, such as open flames or spark-producing equipment operating in the area.
- Do not overfill the fuel tank.
- Allow for fuel expansion on hot days.
- If you are refueling portable equipment such as lawn mowers, generators, chain saws, or anything else with a fuel-powered engine, let the engine cool down before you add fuel to the tank. Spilling fuel on a hot motor instantly creates a cloud of highly flammable vapor, which can easily catch fire or explode.
- Use only safety cans or other approved portable fuel containers to transport or transfer fuel. Unapproved containers can leak, spill fuel or rupture.
- Never dispense fuel into a can or other portable container while it is sitting in your vehicle or truck bed.
- If you have a fuel spill:
- Clean it up immediately using the appropriate spill kit.
- Remove any clothing that has absorbed gasoline and thoroughly wash the fuel from your body.
Fuels can be highly flammable and, if handled improperly, these substances can make fueling equipment a dangerous task. Be aware of the hazards and follow the prevention steps to avoid an incident on your site.