Safe Fuel Handling Practices

Safe handling of fuel is everyone's responsibility. You can take steps to ensure that your own safety and health, as well as that of those around you and the environment, are protected.

Improper handling of fuel can result in serious injury or death caused by fire, explosion or asphyxiation. Fuel released into the environment can contaminate soil and groundwater resulting in costly cleanups. Contaminated groundwater supplies may sicken people and animals that unknowingly drink the polluted water.

Some very simple steps can alleviate many of these problems. Here are some examples of what you can and should do to ensure safe fuel handling.

UST Owners and Operators

Federal regulations under 40 CFR Section 280.30 describe actions that UST owners and operators must take to prevent accidental spills and overfills. When a delivery is being made to fill an UST, the owner and operator has the responsibility to:

• Ensure that the volume available in the tank is greater than the volume of product to be transferred to the tank before the transfer is made.
  
  
• Ensure that the transfer operation is monitored constantly to prevent overfilling and spilling.

It's a good idea to physically measure (don't rely solely on automated devices) the level of fuel that is already in the tank before beginning preparations to re-fill the tank. To be safe, measure twice and double-check your calculations (have someone else check your calculations as well). During re-filling, the delivery person should never leave the tanker unattended while fuel is being transferred. It is important to take extra precautions up front and avoid costly and potentially disastrous accidents.

Additional information about proper filling procedures may be found in the National Fire Protection Association Publication 385. Further guidance on spill and overfill prevention appears in American Petroleum Institute Publication 1621, "Recommended Practice for Bulk Liquid Stock Control at Retail Outlets" and National Fire Protection Association Standard 30, "Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code."

For additional information about the safe handling of fuels visit EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks Safe Fuel Handling Practices Web site.

Published: April 1, 2002