The New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a crackdown on potentially high-risk fuel transfers occurring at petrol stations across the state.
EPA officers have been made aware of drivers allegedly unloading fuel from their tankers into underground storage tanks without sufficient capacity and estimating when they are full.
This practice increases the risk of fuel spills.
The EPA has notified SafeWork NSW and is in the process of notifying other inter-state regulatory authorities about the practice, with NSW EPA Executive Director Operations Jason Gordon telling drivers to expect a crackdown.
“We’re making it absolutely clear to every transport company, driver, distributor wholesaler and retailer, if you’re engaging in unsafe and risky fuel transfers it must stop immediately,” Gordon says.
“We’re rolling out a compliance campaign and we’ll take regulatory action if we find you’re breaking the law by taking unnecessary risk.
“We’re talking about the transportation and handling of a highly dangerous substance that is subject to strict legal requirements and could see a person fined up to $55,000 and face imprisonment.
“For corporations, maximum fines are $275,000.
“In the event of an uncontrolled spill of petrol there is a serious risk to the public, the drivers unloading the tankers, employees, and the environment.
“The community expects they can fill up at the bowser safely and those living or running a business in close proximity to a service station shouldn’t be put at unnecessary risk.”
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