WorkSafe Victoria recently issued a safety alert about the serious risk of injury workers face when filling portable equipment with petrol.

The alert was issued following separate incidents in which ten workers sustained burns when 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 were ignited by static electricity.

Filling portable equipment with petrol creates vapours that can be easily ignited by hot surfaces or static electricity, and workers can be killed or seriously injured if petrol ignites.

The alert recommended a number of ways to control risks, and said to consider the following|

before using petrol-powered portable equipment: 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, and the alert said that when refuelling petrol-powered portable equipment:

• 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:
  o Plastic, metal or equivalent containers that bear the marking AS/NZ 2906 should meet the Australian Standard for portable fuel containers.
  o 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).
  o Drink bottles or plastic five litre oil containers are not designed for the storage of fuel and should not be used.

The alert also said that 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.
• Ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, ignition sources are not present in any hazardous area within the premises.
• Ensure that 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.
• Have regard to the following measures:
  o control spills and leaks
  o minimise static electricity
  o control vapour generation
  o ensure compatibility of the pipework with the dangerous goods being transferred