Following a small but concerning number of incidents, late last year the EPA put fuel transport operators and fuel retail sites on notice that exclusion zones and delivery risks needed to be well understood and complied with. This week the EPA have added fuel spills due to poor dipping practices and ullage miscalculations to the target list.
The setting of appropriate exclusion zones to prevent the entry of people or vehicles when a fuel tanker is delivering was the focus of the last EPA blitz to fuel transport and retail oeprators. That initiative followed a serious fire that occured while a tanker was discharging onsite and resulted in the EPA amending guidance for both fuel drivers and fuel retail staff. See – https://acapmag.com.au/2023/08/epa-targeting-fuel-delivery-exclusion-zone-violations/
This latest focus has come about due to a small number of concerning incidents that put people, property and the environment at risk.
The EPA NSW is specifically calling out the need for fuel delivery drivers to undertake proper confirmation of the current fuel stocks and tank capacity (ullage) to ensure that deliveries are not made in circumstances where doing so would increase the risk of an overfill based spill onsite.
NSW EPA Executive Director Operations, Jason Gordon said we’re cracking down on the entire industry to stamp out this irresponsible and dangerous practice.
“We’re making it absolutely clear to every transport company, driver, distributor, wholesaler, and retailer, if you’re engaging in unsafe and risky fuel transfers it must stop immediately.
“We’re rolling out a compliance campaign and we’ll take regulatory action if we find you’re breaking the law by taking this unnecessary risk.
“We’re talking about the transportation and handling of a highly dangerous substance that is subject to strict legal requirements and could see a person fined up to $55,000 and face imprisonment, for corporations maximum fines are $275,000.
“In the event of an uncontrolled spill of petrol there is a serious risk to the public, the drivers unloading the tankers, employees, and the environment.
“The community expects they can fill up at the bowser safely and those living or running a business in close proximity to a service station shouldn’t be put at unnecessary risk.”
The EPA has notified SafeWork NSW and is notifying other inter-state regulatory authorities. If you suspect unsafe practices at a service station, please contact the 24-hour Environment Line on 131 555 or email info@epa.nsw.gov.au.
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