Workers sustain burns after petrol vapours ignite while refuelling portable equipment

Background

Ten workers have sustained burns in separate incidents, after fuel vapours ignited while refuelling portable petrol-powered equipment, including pressure washers, pumps and generators.

A ute mounted vacuum unit and vehicle were also destroyed when petrol vapours ignited by static electricity.

Safety Issues

Filling portable equipment with petrol creates vapours that can be easily ignited by hot surfaces or static electricity.

Workers can be killed or seriously injured if petrol ignites.

Recommended ways to control risks

Before using petrol-powered portable equipment, consider the following:

• Is the equipment necessary?
• Is there an electric version available?
• Is there a diesel version available?

Where it is not practical to use electric or diesel equipment, it may be necessary to use a petrol version.

When refuelling petrol-powered portable equipment, consider the following measures:

• Do not fill portable equipment in low lying areas where vapours could accumulate, increasing the risk of ignition.
• Do not fill equipment inside a vehicle, trailer or surface that prevents the discharge of static electricity, for example on a plastic surface.
• Ensure suitable fire extinguishers are immediately accessible in the area you are refuelling.
• Inform workers of the hazards and control measures required to make the refuelling process safe.
• Allow the equipment to cool down as petrol can ignite at 280 degrees celsius.
• Always ensure the equipment is placed on firm ground and in a well-ventilated area, away from any heat and ignition sources.
• Ensure that any ute or trailer mounted equipment is appropriately earthed before undertaking refuelling process.
• Ensure that any trolley mounted equipment is earthed either via metal wheels or a drag chain.
• Ensure the container cap is replaced tightly on the filled equipment before moving it.
• Only use containers designed for the storage of fuel:
  • Plastic, metal or equivalent containers must have the appropriate UN approval in order to be used as portable fuel containers.
  • UN package approval markings will indicate that the container is manufactured to meet the mandatory requirements of the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by road and rail (ADG Code).
  • Drink bottles or plastic five litre oil containers are not designed for the storage of fuel and should not be used.

Legal duties

If your work involves the storage and handling of dangerous goods, such as flammable liquids like petrol, there are specific duties and obligations you need to comply with under the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 and the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2022.

Employers must identify the hazards related to the dangerous goods at their premises, assess the risks and implement risk controls.

Employers must ensure that:

• All reasonable precautions are taken to prevent any fire, explosion, damage to property or danger to the public involving dangerous goods.
• So far as is reasonably practicable, ignition sources are not present in any hazardous area within the premises.
• Any risk associated with the transfer of dangerous goods is eliminated or, if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk, it is reduced so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Employers must have regard to the following measures:
  • control spills and leaks
  • minimise static electricity
  • control vapour generation
  • ensure compatibility of the pipework with the dangerous goods being transferred

See the Code of practice for storage and handling of dangerous goods which provides practical information on how to comply.

Employers also have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. These general OHS duties require the employer to:

• eliminate risks to health and safety, so far as is reasonably practicable
• reduce risks to health and safety, so far as is reasonably practicable, if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risks