Tips for construction site refueling

With more businesses opting for onsite fuel storage, it’s important to know and understand  safe refueling procedures in construction. There are many risks involved and while the right fuel tanks can help, there are still some considerations you need to keep in mind. Keeping yourself and other employees safe should be top priority, so in this guide we’ll share a number of ways you can help create safer onsite refueling.

Construction is an industry where hazards intrinsically exist. Using unguarded equipment and heavy machinery on rough terrain or in tight spaces requires skill. Risk of electrocution and exposure to silica dust or asbestos demands training and protection so everyone can complete their tasks safely. In fact, most construction companies will say safety is their first priority.

But sometimes, everyday risks slip lower down the list when safeguarding people. Getting seasoned roofers to wear fall arrest harnesses used to be hard, because they’d always worked at height without them. We’ve all filled gas tanks and jerry cans – so handling fuel is often seen as very low risk. But storing or dispensing fuel onsite without the right care or kit can have serious consequences: EPA penalties, site shutdowns and life-changing injuries.

This is why, even if you already have an understanding of diesel storage safety, you should always stay on top of the latest safety measures and make sure you don’t become complacent while onsite. We provide some advice below to ensure safer onsite refueling.

Safe onsite refueling 

At Western Global, we’ve spent the past 60 years perfecting safe ways to transport, store and dispense fuel in the construction industry. From understanding compliance to avoiding spills and leaks, here are some tips to ensure that you follow diesel refueling procedures to keep everyone safe onsite.  

Training employees on compliance

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has outlined safety regulations for the industry, including the use of chemicals onsite. Staying compliant with these regulations allows for improved refueling safety procedures in construction. However, for this to happen, employees must understand this compliance in order to stay safe. 

As mentioned earlier, all fuel tanks must be labeled clearly and robustly – but these labels are not going to be very effective if no one knows what they mean. Make sure any employee who will have access to your fuel stock understands what exactly is being stored onsite and the risks involved if handled incorrectly. Ensure all safety precautions for diesel storage are written out and are accessible, as well as the regulations and procedures the industry must follow. 

When everyone has a thorough understanding of compliance and the importance of staying safe onsite, construction site refueling becomes safer and simpler.

Avoiding fuel spillages by meeting diesel storage safety requirements

Fuel spillages can add to your costs, but there are also safety concerns if a spill occurs onsite. An employee can easily slip if the fuel leak goes unnoticed, leading to injury or even toxic burns. 

Safe onsite fuel storage should be paramount for this reason. Investing in secure fuel tanks can help minimize any risks of spills or leaks while refueling onsite. Each tank should be clearly labeled, detailing its contents and amount of fuel inside. This will help avoid overfilling the tank and some fuel to spill over. 

At Western Global, our fuel tanks are double walled with built-in weatherproof containment to prevent drips, leaks and spills. Environmentally secure fuel storage is a hot topic for the EPA, and even small incidents can mean contractors are hit with hefty fines and reputational damage. That’s why we’ve taken every precaution when designing our products, reducing risks and ensuring everyone is safe when onsite fueling. 

Read more about the impact fuel spillages can have on your site here.

Location of fuel storage

Storing fuel on site brings many benefits and is far more convenient than having to rely on numerous fuel deliveries throughout your project. However, there are regulations to follow, including where to store your fuel. 

Where you store your fuel impacts overall site health and safety, as well as the quality of the fuel itself. Your fuel storage tanks need to be placed away from other equipment and where employees will be working, avoiding any trips, mixing of vapors or fluids and preventing more serious incidents if something was to go wrong. 

As well as this, fuel should be stored at the right temperature and away from stray foliage, such as weeds, as this can be seen as a fire hazard.

Staying safe when refueling on construction sites

At Western Global, we’ve designed our products with your safety in mind. The tanks we engineer hold their resale value because of the way they’re designed and built. They feature longer-lasting galvanized steel frames, creating a durable and secure structure with added protection from bumps and scratches. They’re simple to deliver and move around site as their corner brackets make them liftable by crane or forklift. And when not in use, they can be stacked, two-high when filled with fuel, and three-high when empty – reducing yard space.

They’re also simple to maintain. Tanks like our TransCube Global have manway access for routine inspection and a removable inner tank for easy cleaning and maintenance. They also feature a lockable equipment cabinet that keeps spills contained, and guards against theft and damage to ports and hoses. 

Safe sites are productive and profitable. If you’d like to know how we can mitigate risks from fuel and improve on-site health and safety, our most popular tanks in construction can be seen here. They are available for fast shipping across North America and carry all certifications for the US and Canada.