Gasoline Safety Tips For Contractors

We all know that fuel and fire don’t mix especially well.  We’ve all seen enough Hollywood action movies with impressive explosions.

While gasoline explosions are rare, it’s important to take proper precautious whenever you’re using gasoline to fill up your truck or heavy equipment on the job site.

For contractors and subcontractors, it’s important to follow these tips to protect:

• Your Vehicle
• Your Equipment
• Your Fellow Workers
• And Yourself

If you follow these tips, you’ll be keeping everyone a lot safer.

Gas Station Safety

1. Make Sure That The Engine Is Turned Off

Before filling up, make sure the engine is turned off.  While the chances are low, it’s possible that a fire could ignite from the fuel vapor emitted while pumping.

2. Stay Outside Of Your Vehicle While Fueling

Going in and out of your vehicle can cause a static charge to develop.  This happens because your body rubs against the materials on your seats.  You can see what happens in the video below.

To avoid a static charge, touch a piece of metal before fueling.  Static charges are more common in the winter when the air is dry.

3.  No Smoking

If you smoke, hold off on that cigarette until after you fill up your tank.  A spark from the lighter or an ash from the cigarette could case a fire.

4.  Don’t Top Off

It’s not a good idea to top off your tank.  This could cause gasoline to spill on the ground, making it a lot easier to start a fire.

5.  Don’t Leave Gas Cans In Truck Bed

Leaving a can of gas in your truck bed could cause a fire. This happens when you have a plastic truck liner and a plastic gas can.  The two rub against each other causing static electricity, which can spark a fire.  You can see how this happens in the video below.

Don’t fill up your gas can in the back of your truck!

In Case Of A Fire At The Pump… 

Should a fire happen to break out, it’s important to follow these tips:

• Drop everything
• Get as far away as possible
• Don’t try to remove the pump or stop the flow of gas
• Immediately contact someone for help
• If you are on fire … stop, drop and roll

Following these tips should keep you safe in the event of a gasoline fire at a gas station.

Fuels On The Construction Site 

When it comes to fuels on the construction site, OSHA has some very specific fuel rules that you need to follow on a job site.

1. Fuels must be stored outdoors in an approved facility.
2. LP gas tanks cannot be stored inside buildings.
3. Heaters must be at least 6 feet away from any gas containers.
4. Spills must immediately be cleaned up.

Cleaning A Gas Spill 

Should gas or any fuels be spilled at a job site, you need to immediately clean up the spill by:

1. Turning off anything that may cause a spark and ignite a fire.
2. If it’s in an enclosed area, make sure that there is good ventilation.
3. Lay down some dirt, sand or cat litter.  Allow for it to absorb the gas.
4. Sweep up the dirt and properly dispose of the waste.

Stay Safe

At Hue & Cry Security Systems, we know our way around a construction site.   For years, we’ve been helping contractors with their fire and security needs.

Contractors keep coming back to us for our experience and our quality work.  As a low-voltage contractor, we get things done on time and on budget.

To learn how we can help you, visit our website and see our Contractor Programs Page.  For more helpful tips for contractors, read the Hue & Cry Security Systems Blog.  Also be sure to follow our Facebook Page for great discussions and helpful tips for contractors.