Refueling Vehicles and Equipment

July 16, 2021

Key Point

  • Workers in the landscape industry have been severely injured while refueling equipment and vehicles. Extremely painful burns resulting from ignited fuel can be disfiguring and debilitating.
  • While many precautions related to fuel handling seem like common sense, hurrying and inattention often subvert sound judgment. Other best practices are less well-known.
  • Below are safeguards both managers and crew members can follow to help prevent injuries associated with refueling vehicles and equipment.

Employers’ and supervisors’ checklist

 

  • Follow all local, state and federal regulations — including federal OSHA standards 29 CFR 1910.106 and 1926.152 — related to flammable liquids, including fuel.
  • Provide and ensure crew members use portable fuel containers or safety cans that have been approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as the Underwriters' Laboratories, and that have flame-arrestor screens in safety-can spouts. Unapproved containers can leak or spill fuel or even rupture.
  • Ensure fuel is kept in closed containers when not in use.
  • Instruct employees to dispose of leaked or spilled fuel immediately and safely.
  • Be sure flammable liquids are not used within 50 feet of an open flame or other source of ignition. Some conditions will warrant even greater clearance.
  • Post “no smoking” signs in areas of your facilities where fuel or other flammable liquids are stored or handled.
  • Ensure proper fire extinguishers are available at all facilities and jobsites and that they are visible and positioned within appropriate distances of equipment/vehicle refueling areas.
  • Include rules regarding transporting fuel and refueling vehicles and equipment in your company’s written safety program.
  • Thoroughly train and regularly retrain all employees in your company’s policies regarding handling and working near flammable liquids.
  • Regularly inspect jobsites to make sure crew members are following these policies, which you should strictly enforce.

Employee dos and don’ts
Do:

 

  • Understand that gasoline and diesel fuel are extremely flammable.
  • Fill equipment fuel tanks before you depart for each jobsite.
  • Turn off the engine before refueling a vehicle or piece of equipment.
  • Let the engines of all equipment (mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, chain saws, generators, etc.) cool down before you add fuel to tanks. If you spill fuel on a hot engine, a cloud of vapor will form that can easily catch fire or explode.
  • Loosen fuel caps slowly to relieve tank pressure.
  • Use a funnel, if needed, to prevent fuel from spilling.
  • Promptly dispose of spilled or leaked fuel according to your company’s guidelines.
  • When transporting fuel and/or refueling equipment, only use portable fuel containers or safety cans that have been approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as the Underwriters' Laboratories, and that have flame-arrestor screens in safety-can spouts. Secure fuel cans in truck beds and trailers to prevent sliding and spilling!
  • Before dispensing fuel into a vehicle, touch a metal part of the vehicle away from the fuel tank with your bare hand. This will help dissipate static electricity on your body.
  • Touch the fuel-dispensing nozzle to the fuel-tank rim on vehicles and equipment before you begin fueling and keep it in contact during the refueling process. Doing this helps prevent static electricity from building up and causing a spark while you’re fueling.
  • Start portable, engine-powered equipment, such as leaf blowers, trimmers and chain saws,at least 10 feet from refueling sites. Make sure spark-plug boots are secure to avoid sparks and possible fuel-vapor ignition.

 

Don’t:

 

  • Smoke or have an open flame while fueling, operating or working near vehicles and equipment. A lit cigarette or flame can ignite flammable vapors that are emitted from the fuel, and a flash fire or explosion could occur.
  • Dispense fuel within 50 feet of an ignition source. Spark-producing equipment can ignite fuel vapors.
  • Fill a fuel tank all the way to the top. Leave at least one inch of vertical space for fuel expansion.
  • Dispense fuel into a portable container while it is sitting in a vehicle or in a truck bed. Hazardous static electricity will build up. Place the container on the ground and then add fuel.

 

Neither NALP nor its employees/contractors make any representation or warranties, express or implied, regarding the use of or reliance on the information provided herewith, regardless of its format or means of transmission. Readers assume sole responsibility for compliance with safety requirements. NALP is not responsible for and expressly disclaims all liability or damages of any kind arising out of the use, reference to or reliance on any information contained within this

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