Brand new support pack available (Discounted for PEIMF members)
PEIMF member Commercial Fuel Solutions have 20 years’ risk management expertise, gained through extensive research, investigation and regulatory work. Here, Managing Director, Robin Futcher, outlines your obligations and offers a brand new, comprehensive method of evaluation.
Throughout the UK there are hundreds of thousands of diesel fuel storage tanks, which collectively each year dispense hundreds of millions of litres.
These storage and transfer systems vary greatly in type and size, ranging from small agricultural installations dispensing gas oil into tractors, all the way up to multiple storage facilities delivering to national fleets. As with any place of work, the Health and Safety at Work Act applies and, irrespective of the scale of any diesel fuel installation, it is necessary to ensure certain risk assessments are undertaken.
The risk assessments which apply are;
- Those relating to hazards arising from handling flammable liquids (DSEAR),
- The suitability of the handling equipment (EPSR)
- Their potential impact on the environment (Oil Storage/Control of Pollution).
For many diesel installations, especially where fuel is dispensed, employers also have specific obligations under both PUWER and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
A brief overview of these requirements and respective obligations is outlined right.
DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations)
The scope and application of DSEAR has been a heated debate for a couple of years now, but put simply; it is necessary for all diesel tanks in the UK to have a DSEAR risk assessment undertaken. Effectively, a DSEAR assessment evaluates those risks to employees which arise from handling diesel. A correct assessment will also confirm if the system is suitably designed to prevent hazardous areas of flammable vapour and mists from forming.
It should be duly noted, that this does not necessarily mean ATEX equipment is needed. Regulation 5 of DSEAR confirms if the EPSR (see below) applies. This confirms if requirements for certified equipment are to be used in addition to existing protection methods and control measures.
EPSR 2016 (The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) (previously EPS 1996)
In the UK, relevant apparatus in hazardous area applications must be selected on the basis of EPSR, unless the risk assessment under DSEAR regulation 5 finds otherwise. The EPSR advises the protection levels and type approvals needed.
Oil Storage/Control of Pollution Regulations
Regulation varies slightly between regions but there is a national requirement to ensure that commercial fuel storage facilities greater than 200 litres comply. This includes having adequate materials and training to deal with a spill and having spill response planning in place.
PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations)
If you are an employer or self-employed person, and you provide equipment for use at work, or if you have control of the use of equipment, then PUWER will apply to you.
Your obligations are to ensure that the equipment is;
Suitable for use, and for the purpose and conditions in which it is to be used.
Maintained in a safe condition for use so that people’s health and safety is not at risk.
Inspected; to ensure that it is, and continues to be, safe for use. Any inspection should be carried out by a competent person (this could be an employee if they have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to perform the task) and a record kept until the next inspection.
In conclusion;
These requirements may seem excessive to some, however it is necessary that all the regulatory requirements are met.
Fortunately, Commercial Fuel Solutions Ltd have produced a user-friendly support pack consisting of various information including; documentation, guidance, labelling and forms. This pack enables site operators to quickly evaluate the risks associated with diesel storage and then assist them to prepare the required risk assessments.
20 years’ experience
By investing in one of our support packs, you can take full advantage of the risk management expertise we’ve gained through our extensive research, investigation and regulatory work over the last 20 years. You will benefit from our experience and unique understanding of common causes of failure, good working practices and how you can apply our methodology in your own business to manage your diesel storage and handling risks.
The support pack includes a wealth of information and provides easy to follow step by step guidance, with corresponding check lists to enable the correct use of the included templates.
In addition to the DSEAR risk assessment documentation, guidance on environmental spill response planning and spill kit calculations are included. This is supplemented with adhesive spill response notices and a selection of labels for the storage tank, which meet the new globally harmonised system (GHS).
To complement the risk assessment documentation, guidance on creating suitable procedures and training records is included, along with advice on maintenance and producing documented service records.
Contained within a tough, long-lasting polypropylene binder with additional pockets, the support pack forms a durable risk assessment folder which can endure industrial use and be kept on hand where it is needed – adjacent to the storage tank.
Future updates on guidance and changes in legislation are also provided through our bulletin service. All customers purchasing a pack are entitled to technical support from our team of consultants and engineers.
For more information on the specifics included within our diesel storage tank risk assessment support pack, please visit www.commercialfuelsolutions.co.uk
For a limited time, PEIMF members can purchase the Support Pack at a discounted rate of 50%. To order at the discounted rate please contact our sales team on 02380 231007 with your membership details.
