Product Overview

Summary: This Fuel Storage and Spill Response Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for safely storing fuels and responding to spills in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations minimise fire, explosion, environmental and health risks while demonstrating due diligence under WHS and environmental legislation.

Storing and handling fuel is a routine part of many Australian operations – from construction sites and workshops to farms, transport depots and civil projects. Yet without a robust, documented procedure, fuel storage and spill response can quickly become a major WHS and environmental liability. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a practical, easy-to-follow system for managing fuel safely, covering everything from selecting and inspecting storage tanks to decanting, housekeeping, and emergency spill response.

The document is designed to help businesses meet their primary duty of care under WHS laws while also addressing obligations under environmental and dangerous goods legislation. It standardises how your team handles fuel on site, clarifies responsibilities, and embeds best-practice controls for fire and explosion risks, vapour exposure, and soil or water contamination. With clear instructions, checklists and response steps, this SOP helps reduce the likelihood and impact of fuel spills, supports incident readiness, and provides evidence of a systematic approach to risk management during audits, regulator inspections or insurance reviews.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of fires, explosions and injuries associated with fuel storage and handling.
• Ensure a rapid, coordinated and effective response to fuel spills, minimising environmental harm and clean-up costs.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS, dangerous goods and environmental requirements for fuel storage and spill management.
• Standardise fuel handling practices across sites, improving training, supervision and contractor management.
• Improve housekeeping and inspection regimes around fuel storage areas, reducing leaks, losses and unplanned downtime.

Who is this for?

• Operations Managers
• Workshop Supervisors
• Site Supervisors
• Fleet Managers
• Fuel Depot Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Environmental Managers
• Maintenance Technicians
• Farm and Station Managers
• Construction Project Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Fire and explosion from ignition of flammable vapours
• Fuel leaks and spills causing soil and water contamination
• Inhalation of fuel vapours leading to acute or chronic health effects
• Skin and eye contact with fuels and cleaning agents
• Static electricity and other ignition sources during fuel transfer
• Manual handling injuries when moving fuel containers and spill response equipment
• Slips, trips and falls on fuel-contaminated surfaces
• Environmental harm to stormwater systems, waterways and sensitive habitats

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Fuel Types Covered
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Fuel Storage Requirements (Fixed Tanks and Portable Containers)
• 6.0 Design and Layout of Fuel Storage Areas
• 7.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Housekeeping of Storage Facilities
• 8.0 Fuel Handling and Transfer Procedures
• 9.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 10.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Controls (Fire, Explosion, Health and Environmental Risks)
• 11.0 Spill Prevention Measures and Secondary Containment
• 12.0 Spill Response Levels (Minor, Moderate and Major Spills)
• 13.0 Step-by-Step Spill Response Procedure
• 14.0 Use of Spill Kits and Containment Equipment
• 15.0 Waste Management, Recovery and Disposal of Contaminated Materials
• 16.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 17.0 Emergency Preparedness, Communication and Notification of Authorities
• 18.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements
• 19.0 Monitoring, Audit and Review of Fuel Storage and Spill Controls
• 20.0 Document Control and Recordkeeping

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and corresponding state and territory legislation)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and corresponding state and territory regulations)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
• AS/NZS 60079 series: Explosive atmospheres (for hazardous area considerations)
• Environment Protection legislation and guidelines applicable in each state and territory (e.g. EPA requirements for spill prevention and response)
• Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code for the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail