RMIF warns on fuel drainage dangers

Garages need to have fuel drainage safety measures in place to prevent accidents, warns the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF).

Fuel drainage, storage, and disposal are among the most potentially hazardous operations carried out in any workshop or bodyshop operation. Because of the volatility of motor fuels, even a small spill or incident can lead to the serious injury or death of a staff member.

Fuel is most often drained in order for work to be performed on vehicles safely, but the operation is also performed to rectify mis-fuelling by motorists. It is estimated that 120,000 vehicles need to have fuel drained from their tanks every year as a result of mis-fuelling.

Stephen Coles, Head of MOT Operations for the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF), commented ‘All businesses that conduct fuel drainage should make sure that their policies and procedures are up to date. This should include a full risk assessment and ensuring all staff are competent to carry out this task and that they have been supplied with the necessary instructions and equipment to perform this task safely.

‘As well as procedures for the drainage of the fuel the assessment should also consider then requirements to store and if necessary dispose of the fuel.’