Having fuel on your premises, particularly in any sort of underground or above-ground tanks, brings several obligations with it. If your staff isn’t fully trained on how to handle your fuel projects, items, and structures properly, you could find yourself in a disastrous situation that costs your company money and its reputation. Such an event may also invite real national or provincial scrutiny and very serious financial and legal consequences.
Ensure everyone is fully trained
As the foreman of a facility or the owner of a facility with a petroleum tank, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your employees are fully trained when it comes to their work and their involvement with your fuel tanks. While you may have provided some training for certain key personnel in the past, you also need to ensure all workers onsite are able to handle a tank emergency. In the event of a spill, for example, minutes lost because your employees on the immediate ground don’t know what to do can be very costly. In addition, all staff members who are involved with your tanks should be able to contain, clean and dispense fuel properly.
If you do not have anyone available to train your staff on fuel tank procedures and safety measures, work with an experienced fuel service provider for training. A third-party company can train your staff as needed, depending on what type of equipment you have on site and their typical job responsibilities. Keep in mind that every employee you have at your facility with the tank should know how to turn it off and on–this is crucial knowledge in the event of an emergency–and how to perform a basic tank inspection. Employees who can carry out a basic inspection may spot potential trouble early, before it devolves into a serious problem.
Everyone who works near the tank, even if they don’t normally interact with it, should know how to contain a spill. In the event of a spill, your staff should also know how to properly clean it up and who to contact in the event of a major spill if outside help is needed. Make sure everyone is clear on who to contact in the event of any type of emergency at your facility.
Create an annual petroleum tank training schedule
If you do not ensure all your employees are properly trained when it comes to any fuel tanks on your premises, your company may face serious financial, legal and regulatory consequences. Therefore, it’s important that your employees are fully trained and receive regular reviews to keep their knowledge fresh and up to date. Things change, and people may forget some of what they have learned, especially when it comes to situations that do not happen often. Make sure you partner with an experienced petroleum service provider for assistance with regular, ongoing training for new and old staff alike.
How well your staff is able to handle the tanks at your facility will partly depend on how well-trained they are. Never cut corners when it comes to tank training as your business may pay dearly for that down the line.