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Fuel Storage And Handling Risk Assessment

Fuel Storage And Handling Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Fuel Storage And Handling Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Fuel Storage and Handling through a structured, management‑level WHS Risk Management framework that addresses governance, systems, and lifecycle planning. This Risk Assessment supports compliance with the WHS Act, hazardous chemicals requirements and environmental obligations, helping to demonstrate Due Diligence and reduce operational liability for your business.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • Governance, WHS Duties and Legal Compliance: Assessment of PCBU obligations, officer due diligence, consultation arrangements, and overarching WHS governance for fuel storage and handling operations.
  • Design, Procurement and Installation of Fuel Storage Systems: Management of design standards, tank selection, bunding, separation distances, and installer qualifications to ensure compliant and safe fuel storage infrastructure.
  • Fuel Storage Integrity, Inspection and Maintenance Systems: Development of inspection schedules, integrity testing, preventative maintenance, and defect management to minimise leaks, failures and unplanned releases.
  • Fuel Transfer, Transport and On‑Site Refuelling Management: Controls for decanting, mobile fuel delivery, vehicle refuelling, hose and nozzle management, ignition source control, and traffic interface risks.
  • Hazardous Chemicals and Inventory Management: Oversight of diesel, petrol, oils and lubricants including SDS access, labelling, segregation, storage volumes, and compatibility with other dangerous goods.
  • Contractor and Project Management for Tank Installation, Repair and Removal: Protocols for contractor selection, scope definition, permits, supervision, and end‑of‑life tank decommissioning and removal activities.
  • Training, Competency and Supervision for Fuel Handling: Assessment of competency requirements, induction content, refresher training, supervision levels, and verification of competency for personnel handling fuel.
  • Emergency Preparedness, Fire Protection and Spill Response: Planning for fire and explosion scenarios, spill containment, emergency equipment selection, drills, and coordination with emergency services.
  • Environmental and Community Impact Management: Management of soil and water contamination risks, stormwater protection, odour and vapour impacts, and communication with neighbouring properties or the public.
  • Documentation, Monitoring, Auditing and Continuous Improvement: Systems for recordkeeping, incident reporting, inspections, KPIs, internal audits, and review processes to drive ongoing improvement in fuel storage safety.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Operations Managers, Facility Managers and Safety Professionals responsible for planning, approving and overseeing fuel storage and handling activities across their organisation.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. Governance, WHS Duties and Legal Compliance
  • • Failure to identify and comply with WHS Act 2011, WHS Regulations, dangerous goods, and environmental legislation relevant to fuel storage and handling
  • • Lack of clear allocation of WHS duties for fuel storage, transfer and handling across PCBUs, officers, workers and contractors
  • • Inadequate consultation, cooperation and coordination between PCBUs involved in installation, repair, removal, transport and refuelling activities
  • • No systematic process for keeping up to date with changes in standards (e.g. AS 1940 for storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids, electrical and fire protection standards)
  • • Insufficient or unclear policies on fuel storage, hazardous chemicals management, hot work, confined spaces, contractor management and incident reporting
  • • Poor integration of fuel storage and handling risks into the organisation’s WHS management system and risk registers
2. Design, Procurement and Installation of Fuel Storage Systems
  • • Selection of fuel tanks, piping and equipment that do not comply with Australian Standards or intended use (e.g. incorrect tank type for diesel vs petrol, lack of bunding or impact protection)
  • • Poor layout and siting of tanks leading to fire and explosion risks, inadequate separation distances, vehicle impact exposure, and unsafe access for inspection and maintenance
  • • Inadequate design of ventilation, electrical equipment and earthing/bonding around flammable liquids leading to ignition sources and static discharge risks
  • • Lack of engineered overfill protection, leak detection, level monitoring and high-level alarms for fuel storage tanks
  • • Insufficient containment capacity (bunding, spill systems) for expected volumes of diesel, petrol, oils and lubricants
  • • Use of unsuitable or incompatible hoses, valves, seals and fittings increasing risk of leaks, failures and environmental contamination
  • • Poor design consideration for future repair, tank removal, cleaning and safe isolation, creating unsafe work environments at later lifecycle stages
3. Fuel Storage Integrity, Inspection and Maintenance Systems
  • • Degradation, corrosion or physical damage to tanks, pipework, valves and hoses leading to leaks, spills, vapour release or catastrophic failure
  • • Lack of a structured inspection, testing and preventative maintenance program for diesel, petrol and oil storage systems
  • • Failure to detect early signs of tank or pipe failure, including underground leaks, compromised bunds or damaged protective coatings
  • • Uncontrolled or unauthorised modifications and repairs to fuel systems compromising design integrity and compliance
  • • Blocked vents, gauges or filters causing over‑pressurisation, vacuum collapse or inaccurate level indication
  • • Incomplete maintenance records making it difficult to demonstrate compliance or track emerging issues
4. Fuel Transfer, Transport and On‑Site Refuelling Management
  • • Uncontrolled fuel transfer during loading, unloading or on‑site refuelling resulting in overfills, spills, spray, vapour release or fire
  • • Inadequate systems for managing mobile fuel tanks, tankers and bowsers entering and operating on site
  • • Lack of standardised procedures for diesel, petrol and lubricant deliveries, including isolation, grounding, supervision and communication
  • • Unverified competency of drivers and operators performing fuel transport and on‑site refuelling operations
  • • Absence of controls for refuelling in high‑risk areas (confined spaces, near ignition sources, poor ventilation, near watercourses)
  • • Inadequate management of traffic interaction between fuel delivery vehicles, mobile plant and pedestrians
5. Hazardous Chemicals and Inventory Management (Diesel, Petrol, Oils and Lubricants)
  • • Inaccurate or incomplete hazardous chemicals register for fuels, oils and lubricants on site
  • • Lack of current Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and inadequate communication of hazards associated with diesel, petrol, oils and lubricants
  • • Over‑stocking of fuels and flammable liquids beyond design or regulatory limits, increasing fire load and spill potential
  • • Incompatible storage of fuels with other hazardous chemicals (oxidisers, corrosives, LPG cylinders, reactive substances)
  • • Unlabelled or incorrectly labelled containers and decanting into non‑approved vessels
6. Contractor and Project Management for Tank Installation, Repair and Removal
  • • Use of contractors for fuel tank installation, repair, removal or cleaning without adequate WHS pre‑qualification or verification of competency
  • • Poorly controlled high‑risk construction activities associated with tank works (excavations, crane lifts, hot work, confined space entry, working at heights, electrical work)
  • • Inadequate site‑specific risk assessments, Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) or permits for tank installation, repair, decommissioning and removal projects
  • • Lack of coordination between multiple contractors and site operations during tank projects, leading to exposure of other workers to fuel‑related risks
  • • Insufficient verification that tanks are cleaned, gas‑freed and made safe prior to hot work, transport or demolition
7. Training, Competency and Supervision for Fuel Handling
  • • Workers, supervisors and contractors handling fuels or overseeing fuel storage without adequate knowledge of hazards, controls and procedures
  • • Inconsistent competency standards for personnel involved in diesel fuel handling, petrol use, oil and lubricant delivery, and fuel transfer operations
  • • Inadequate supervision of high‑risk fuel activities such as tank repairs, hot work near fuel systems, confined space work and on‑site refuelling of mobile plant
  • • Failure to refresh training and update workers on changes to fuel systems, procedures, or regulatory requirements
8. Emergency Preparedness, Fire Protection and Spill Response
  • • Inadequate planning and resourcing for fuel‑related emergencies such as tank fires, vehicle impact, major spills, leaks or vapour releases
  • • Lack of suitable fire protection systems, portable extinguishers and spill response equipment for the types and quantities of fuels stored and handled
  • • Poorly understood or untested emergency response procedures for evacuation, first response actions and coordination with emergency services
  • • Failure to plan for environmental impacts of fuel spills to soil, stormwater, waterways or neighbouring properties
9. Environmental and Community Impact Management
  • • Uncontrolled release of fuel to soil, groundwater or stormwater causing contamination and long‑term environmental harm
  • • Odours and vapours from fuel storage and transfer impacting workers, neighbours or the public
  • • Noise, traffic and visual impacts from fuel deliveries, tank installation or removal projects affecting nearby communities
  • • Failure to meet environmental licence conditions, planning approvals or contamination reporting obligations
10. Documentation, Monitoring, Auditing and Continuous Improvement
  • • Inadequate or outdated documentation for fuel storage and handling systems, leading to inconsistent practices and unmanaged risks
  • • Lack of systematic monitoring and review of the effectiveness of fuel‑related controls and WHS performance
  • • Failure to learn from incidents, near misses, audits and changes in legislation or standards
  • • Poor record‑keeping preventing the organisation from demonstrating compliance with WHS Act 2011 and associated regulations

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

Don't worry if a specific hazard isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom hazards at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the risk ratings and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on identifying, assessing and controlling risks from hazardous chemicals including fuels.
  • Safe Work Australia – Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice: Requirements for SDS content and accessibility.
  • Safe Work Australia – Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice: Labelling and signage expectations for hazardous chemical storage and handling.
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines for establishing a systematic approach to identifying and controlling organisational risks.
  • AS 1940:2017: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids, including design, construction and operation of fuel storage systems.
  • AS 4897:2008: The design, installation and operation of underground petroleum storage systems.
  • AS/NZS 60079 (Series): Explosive atmospheres — Requirements for equipment and electrical installations in areas where flammable vapours may be present.
  • AS 1851:2012: Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment relevant to fuel storage and dispensing areas.
  • Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Guidelines (State/Territory specific): Requirements for preventing soil and groundwater contamination from fuel storage and handling activities.
  • AS/NZS ISO 14001:2016: Environmental management systems — Guidance for integrating environmental risk controls with fuel storage operations.
  • AS/NZS 4801 / ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems — Frameworks for systematic WHS management and continual improvement.
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

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