American
Society of Safety Engineers Offer Gas Refueling Safety Tips
Press
Release
July 30, 2002
DES
PLAINES, Ill., -- Due to recent reports concerning possible static electricity-related
incidents at gas stations, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is
providing safety tips for the public aimed at reducing their risk when filling
up their vehicle.
This year, static electricity has caused a few fires
at gas stations that occur when consumers are filling up, but according to the
American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI),
these cases are very rare. API estimates that each year there are an average of
11 billion fill-ups and very few fire incidents involving static electricity.
Static electricity may occur when a person filling their tank leaves the
nozzle, gets back in their vehicle and rubs against the seats. When they return
to the vehicle fill pipe when the refueling is complete the built up static may
discharge at the fill point, causing a brief flash fire with gasoline refueling
vapors.
"There are several ways a person refueling their vehicle
can avoid this from happening," ASSE President, and Houston, TX resident,
Mark Hansen, P.E., C.S.P., says. "For instance, when you're putting gas in
your car you should not get back into the vehicle because this can cause static
electricity. If you must get back in the car for some reason during the fueling
process, you should always touch a metal part of the vehicle first, such as the
door, or some other metal surface, away from the fill point when exiting the car
and returning to the refueling area. This reduces the build-up of static electricity
and minimizes the likelihood of a fire occurring."
For added safety
when refueling a vehicle, one should: not smoke, light matches or lighters while
refueling; use only the refueling latch provided on the gasoline dispenser nozzle
- never jam the refueling latch on the nozzle open; turn off the vehicle engine
while refueling; put the vehicle in park and/or set the emergency break; and do
not over fill or top-off your vehicle tank, which can cause gasoline spillage.
In the unlikely event a static-caused fire occurs when refueling, the
API says that one should leave the nozzle in the fill pipe and back away from
the vehicle. Tell the station attendant immediately so that all dispensing devices
and pumps can be shut off with emergency controls. If the gas retail facility
is unattended, use the emergency shutdown button to shut off the pump and use
the emergency intercom to call for help.
When putting gasoline into a
container, use only an approved portable container and place it on the ground
when refueling to avoid a possible static electricity ignition of fuel vapors.
Containers, according to the API, should never be filled while inside a vehicle
or its trunk, the bed of a pickup truck or the floor of the trailer.
For
more information contact API's Susan Hahn at 202-682-8118 or check www.api.org
or www.asse.org . The non-profit ASSE is the oldest and largest professional occupational
safety organization with global membership of more than 30,000 individuals who
manage, supervise, and consult on safety, health and environmental issues in industry,
government, insurance and education. Founded in 1911 and celebrating its 90th
Anniversary, ASSE is dedicated to protecting people, property and the environment.
SOURCE: American Society of Safety Engineers
