Service station operators checklist

This inspection checklist is based on and should be used in conjunction with the Workplace Health
and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) publication, Guide for service station operators under the Work
Health and Safety Act 2011. This checklist has been developed to help the operator control the
risks associated with the storage and handling of fuel. The Work Health and Safety Regulation
2011 requires risks associated with hazardous chemicals be minimised as far as reasonably
practicable. Following the guide and adopting the inspection checklist will help demonstrate that
your fuel storage and handling systems and safe systems of work have been developed,
documented and implemented. It does not cover all aspects of a facilitys safety management
system (e.g. managing theft and personal safety) or system design and installation, but will help
identify deficiencies in the sites operational safety relating to fuel storage and handling.

Location: Date: ... /.../...

Inspection carried out by: .

Comments and
Item Prompting questions Yes/No
actions
Site perimeter
Manifest box is in good condition, water tight and securely
1.
fastened with locking mechanism working properly.
Check contents of manifest and site plan information:
contacts information correct and up-
to-date
2. storage locations and quantities as
shown are correct
document is good condition and
legible.
Service station forecourt
Hardstand area above underground tanks, fill boxes and
3. dispensing areas are in good condition.
Note any damage. Take photos to assess if minor damage is
increasing with time.
Is the tanker fill exclusion zone clearly marked on the
4. forecourt?
Demarcations on pavement become worn and fade requiring a
periodic refresh.
 Fill point caps and fill box seals are in good condition?
5. No water should accumulate within them. Drain lever in fill box
should be operating correctly.

Correct fill and dip point markers are located for each tank?
6. ULP-violet / white, PULP-yellow/white, Diesel-olive/black, E10-
violet/orange
Condition of Vent pipes?
Are they secured and undamaged?
7. Are they clear of vegetation within 3 m?
Are vent caps present and functional?
Ensure vent termination points are clear of any debris, exclude
rain ingress and help diffuse and dissipate vapours.
Are bollards that protect the dispensers, aboveground tanks
8. and vent pipes in good condition and remain fit for purpose?
Repair where impact has occurred and ensure they remain robust
and effective.
Are placards on aboveground tanks in good condition and
9. clearly visible from normal approaches?

Maintaining safety during tanker filling operations

This section applies when a tanker vehicle is on site to deliver fuels and fill product tanks (e.g. petrol and LPG)
Does the tanker vehicle position itself appropriately on site
10.
within the property boundaries?
Are appropriate exclusion zones around connection points
set up using barriers and safety signs?
11. The tanker driver must comply with the Transport Operations
(Road Use ManagementDangerous Goods) Regulation 2008
which requires an 8 m diameter exclusion zone for petrol and a 10
m exclusion zone for LPG from the tankers hose connection point.
Are any dispensers within the exclusion area shut down for
12.
the duration of the transfer process?
Dispensing area
Are hosepipes, break away couplings and nozzles free of
damage?
13. Any visible signs of leaks?
Ensure damage is promptly repaired. Latching devices must be
removed from petrol dispensing nozzles
A Stop Engine. No Smoking sign must be clearly visible at
14. each flammable liquid dispenser. Is this and any other safety
sign clearly visible and legible?
15. Fire extinguishers:
A minimum of 2 x 9 kg ABE (powder) type extinguishers
must be available in the dispensing area. Are they
clearly visible in the direction of approach for vehicles?
Note: 1 extinguisher is sufficient if diesel only is dispensed.
Is it charged and ready for use?
The needle in the pressure gauge of all fire extinguishers is in
the green area.

PN11617 Version 1 Last updated December 2013 - Service station operators checklist 2
 A yellow maintenance tag is attached and embossed
with a date mark of last inspection which is within the
previous 6 months?
Any LPG dispenser and self serve and pay dispensers must
16. have an easily accessible emergency stop button close to
the dispensing area.
Are there any visible spills in the dispensing area?
17. Check on source of any leaks (e.g. hoses). Clean up residual
liquids to avoid slips and trips or potential ignitions.

18. Is there a spill kit easily accessible to the dispensing area?

Does the spill kit contain as a minimum, several kilograms of
absorbent material, a shovel a broom and a container to
19. collect waste material for ready-to-go use?
Ensure it has not been used as a rubbish bin- clear any
extraneous material.
Where site specific spill containment equipment is made
20. available such as drain covers, are they in good condition
and accessible?
Is the dispensing area well illuminated during night time
operations where applicable?
21. Lighting should allow for all signs and pump information to be
clearly visible.

LPG cylinder exchange facility

Is a red Class 2.1 diamond and a Flammable Gas No
22.
Smoking, No Flame sign clearly visible on the cage?
Are cage/s located away from trafficable areas?
Exchange cylinder cages should be positioned so that impacts are
23. minimised and away from potential ignition sources in well
ventilated areas. Minimum separation distances from various
items are detailed in the guide.

24. Is the cage/s locked when not in use?

Is the cage/s clear of any rubbish or accumulated

25. combustible material?
Avoid storages of fire timber or oil products next to cages.
Operator console and retail area
Is the emergency stop switch in the console area is clearly
26.
labelled?
Are all the dispensing units clearly visible by direct vision or
27.
cameras?
Is there an up-to-date emergency telephone/contact list
28.
adjacent to the control console?
Is a copy of the site emergency plan easily accessible to the
29.
console operator?
Do portable fuel containers for sale to the public comply with
30. AS 2906-2001- Fuel containers portable-plastic and metal?
Containers should have an embossed marking indicating
compliance.

PN11617 Version 1 Last updated December 2013 - Service station operators checklist 3
 Are all hazardous chemicals and combustible liquids in
packages stored and handled so they cannot contaminate
31.
food, food packaging and personal use products?
Ensure such products are separated in retail areas.
Is the first aid kit appropriately stocked and readily
32.
accessible?

Documents and records

Are the following available at the location unless otherwise

33.
specified?

34. Hazardous chemical register and safety data sheets (SDS)?

35. Site operating and maintenance procedures?

Safe work procedure and permit system for conducting any
repair or renovation work on the forecourt within the vicinity
36.
of the fuel dispensers and their associated hazardous
areas?
Acknowledgement letter from WHSQ that the site has
37. notified as a manifest quantity workplace?
May be retained at corporate office location.
Acknowledgement letter from Queensland Fire and Rescue
38. Service that the site has submitted the emergency plan?
May be retained at corporate office location.
Record of daily tank dips and stock reconciliation?
39. Procedures must detail what to do if an issue is found (e.g. non-
reconcilable volumes).
Maintenance records for the sites storage and handling
systems?
Examples include, tank and pipework inspections, cathodic
40. protection system inspection reports, fire fighting system
maintenance reports. While these may be kept at a central or
corporate office location, they must be made available if requested
by an inspector.

41. Incident reporting and investigation system?

Staff training logs and records?
Console operators must know what constitutes and emergency
42. what to do in an emergency such as dealing with gas leaks and
fuel spills. They must also know actions to take to control ignition
sources on the forecourt, and turning off pumps.

43. Register of safety meetings and minutes?

Using the table below, record each item found to be non compliant or unsatisfactory and ensure
each item is assigned to a responsible person and actioned in an appropriate time frame.
Responsible Date
Item Non compliance/issue Corrective action
person completed

PN11617 Version 1 Last updated December 2013 - Service station operators checklist 4
PN11617 Version 1 Last updated December 2013 - Service station operators checklist 5