Catastrophic flammable liquid fire at service station (24 February 2023)
A flammable liquid fire at a service station saw workers and others exposed to a risk of injury when an uncontrolled fuel and/or vapour was ignited. The fire occurred while fuel was being unloaded from a road tanker into underground storage tanks, destroying the service station buildings, forecourt canopy and fuel dispensers, the prime mover and fuel tanker trailer and three cars.
Safety information
Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with the loading and unloading of petroleum products (class 3 PGII flammable liquids).
Ensure:
- All transfer equipment is inspected and tested in accordance with manufacturer recommendations to minimise the risk of fuel leakage
- Safe systems of work are established for the transfer of bulk fuel at service stations
- All workers involved in the delivery of fuel, including service station attendants and road tanker drivers, are trained in the procedures for safe transfer of bulk fuel
- An exclusion zone is established and enforced during fuel unloading to prevent the introduction of ignition sources into the hazardous zone
- Road tanker drivers are adequately supervised until they are deemed competent to complete the tasks unsupervised
- Emergency procedures are established, and workers are trained in these procedures.
Related guidance material
- Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods
- AS/NZS 60079.10.1 Classification of areas - Explosive gas atmosphere
- AS1940: 2004 Storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
- AS4979: 2008 Flammable and combustible liquids – Precautions against electrostatic ignition during tank vehicle loading