How to Store Fuel on Commercial Premises
For some businesses, storing fuel at your workplace will be highly advantageous. If your company uses a large amount of petrol or diesel, it may well be the best way to cut your costs, avoid unnecessary trips to the petrol station, and keep track of exactly how much fuel you’re using.
However, unless it is properly stored, keeping fuel on your premises can pose some major health and safety risks, so it’s very important to know what you’re doing. Luckily for you, we’ve created this handy guide to help you…
Government Guidance
A large number of businesses store fuel in their workplace, and thanks to the dangers associated with it, it should come as little surprise that the government has introduced regulations to ensure that safety standards are maintained.
The key regulation is known as DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations), and it provides business owners with guidance on proper practice and staying safe.
These regulations are not overly strict, but they do make a lot of sense, so it pays for businesses to heed them completely.
The Key Requirements of DSEAR
DSEAR does not cover the storage of petrol alone, so some of it won’t be relevant to your business, but there are a number of key requirements that you and all of your employees should be aware of.
- One of the main stipulations contained within the DSEAR is that no more than 50 litres of highly flammable liquids should be stored in areas that double as workrooms.
- In rooms that are not workrooms, the regulations state that the risks from dangerous substances should be mitigated as far as is practical, in order to decrease the risk of a fire or explosion.
Storing Fuel
DSEAR fails to specifically impose any regulations on how fuel is stored, yet there are some key safety points that all businesses should be aware of.
- Storage containers should be sourced from a reputable supplier, such as Commercial Fuel Solutions, and should meet all necessary manufacturing regulations.
- No ‘hotwork’ should be performed on or near vessels that contain, or have contained, fuel.
- Storage equipment should be positioned away from any direct sources of heat.
- Their location should also negate the risk of any type of collision with a vehicle.
- Any leaks or spills should be mopped up immediately, to reduce the risk of slipping and prevent environmental contamination, and containers should be replaced or repaired if damage is the cause of the issue.
Follow these precautions today to keep your employees, your future, and your business safe and thriving.
Photo credit: Andy / Flickr
About the Author
Ivan Widjaya A mobile entrepreneur who loves to work anytime, anywhere he wants. He runs several popular business blogs, make money online and live a geoarbitrage lifestyle. He typically works at home and travel with his family when he wants to, often without his business.
