The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Department of Energy (DoE) will require gasoline stations with underground storage tanks to be located a safe distance away from residences.
The DoE said the new rule will be compliant with the agency’s Code of Safety Practice for liquid petroleum product (LPP) among retail outlets.
The DOE recently released the draft code for liquid petrol which will be subject for public deliberations. Under the draft code, underground storage tanks should have a distance of not less than one meter from a property line and adjoining structures.
Apart from safe-operational-distance rules, the DOE draft code presents basic operations in LPP retail outlets, among which are the observance of standard procedures such as acknowledging or guiding the customer with proper hand gestures within five seconds after the customer has entered the forecourt and confirming order and points at “0” pump meter reading before pumping gas.
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is also prescribed in the code. This equipment for pump attendant includes safety spectacles, hard hat, steel toed shoes, appropriate gloves and uniform.
(PPE) requirements are also listed in the code for various working stages in the retail stations including tank truck receiving, operations, preventive maintenance, washing, housekeeping, underground storage tank cleaning, building/driving, and welding/hotworks.
The proposed code for safety operations of LPP in retail stations will require also a safety officer, a person who has undergone a complete Basic Occupational Safety and Health Training (BOSH).
RIZA LOZADA