Garage staff blasted over lax fuel safety

Apr 24 2008

PETROL attendants in North Lanarkshire this week came under fire from trading standards officers for failing to carry out checks when selling petrol to those using containers.

An undercover investigation by Trading Standards revealed that more than 92 per cent of local stations visited sold petrol into containers without carrying out any checks to ensure that they were safe and suitable for the purpose.

Filling station operators are duty bound to carry out safety checks before pumps are authorised for use by each customer.

It is a requirement that fuel can only be dispensed into a suitable container, designed and constructed for the carriage of petrol.

Officers stress that this is very important as a leaking container could easily lead to an explosion in a car or in a place of storage.

Posing as ordinary customers, officers visited various petrol stations in North Lanarkshire with an approved container concealed inside a black bin bag.

This meant that the petrol attendants could not tell what was inside the bag unless they checked. The officers involved in this undercover investigation made no attempt to hide the fact they were trying to fill up a container and used the pump nearest the operator.

The purpose of this project was to identify what checks, if any, were being carried out prior to the delivery of fuel.

Out of the petrol sites visited, only one petrol station carried out any type of check.

Dave Roderick, trading standards manager for the authority, said: “These results are disappointing, especially when we are dealing with such a highly flammable substance.

“At this time of year many people are using containers to fill lawnmowers, boats and other petrol-run equipment. If fuel is delivered in an inappropriate container there is a danger that the container is more likely to leak or spill, and many plastics will melt in contact with petrol.

“Using approved cans, which are clearly marked, means that the possibility of an accident occurring when the cans are stored in garages and sheds is greatly reduced.”

He added: “As a result of these findings, guidance is being sent to all petrol stations and follow-up action will be carried out to ensure compliance.

“Anyone who is concerned that their local petrol station may be allowing the sale of petrol in unsuitable containers, or who is unsure about the types of container they can use, should contact Trading Standards.”