How to Ensure Safe Fuel Handling: A Guide for Industrial Users

Elevated Magazines
2 days ago
2 min read

Fueling heavy industrial equipment is inherently complex. Given the flammable nature of fuel and static energy, personnel are exposed to a number of risks. If proper handling isn’t ensured, the chances of fires, spills, and explosions are notoriously high.

The good news? There are numerous measures you can take to ensure safe industrial fueling. Here’s a closer look at six of them:

Train Personnel

Starting with the basics, make sure all personnel involved are fully trained in proper fuel handling. A comprehensive program involves:

Understanding fuel types (gasoline, diesel, LPG)
Understanding health hazards, including the effects of inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion.
Knowledge of equipment, such as fuel transfer pumps
Usage of safety equipment in case of a fire hazard. This includes knowing the location of emergency operation shut-offs.
Emergency response preparedness

Many industrial units and plants specifically train employees through courses, seminars, and other similar methods.

Use the Appropriate Fuel Transfer Pump

A fuel transfer pump is arguably the most important piece of equipment when it comes to fuel handling. As the name indicates, it is used to transfer fuel from one container to another, such as from a storage tank to a vehicle. In this case, a fuel transfer pump is used to transfer fuel from a storage tank to an industrial machine.

The basic purpose of using a fuel transfer pump is to prevent spills and contamination. If safety measures are not taken, spills can be harmful to those in the affected area and even lead to fire hazards.

That said, choosing the appropriate fuel transfer pump for your needs can be challenging. Our advice? Go with fuel transfer pumps from TransTank International. They offer a large selection of 12v, 24v, and 240v fuel transfer pumps. You should also look for ideal features, such as:

Precise flow control mechanism
Filtration systems
High-quality hoses

Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Once technical equipment is sorted, make sure all personnel are wearing protective clothing.

Workers should wear proper PPE, including:

Safety glasses
Fuel-resistant gloves
Flame-resistant clothing

This is also necessary if you want to meet regulatory standards and avoid legal issues caused by unsafe work environments.

Prepare Emergency Equipment

The next step is preparing emergency equipment for quick and seamless deployment. Have a fully-charged, appropriate fire extinguisher. Experts recommend ABC dry chemical or CO₂.

You should also have a spill containment kit, which includes absorbent materials. Make sure it is accessible within the refueling area.

Eliminate Ignition Sources

Eliminating ignition sources is another critical measure to ensure safe fuel handling. The following things should be strictly prohibited in the fueling area: