Page 731 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 264

S Martin – 8 September 2011

Jump Starting Vehicles in Hazardous Area

We have recently received another hazard spot report from site regarding a customer
attempting to jump start a vehicle in the hazardous zone. The issue was addressed at source and
the risk mitigated at source.

This is the thirteenth report of this activity in
the last four years.

Most of these cases have been members of
the public attempting to jump start a vehicle
from another vehicle, but we have also had
cases where spare batteries or "jumper
packs" have been used (see photo). In one
case a member of site staff was actually
helping the driver to connect the cables!

These incidents are common to all oil
companies, and we have had reports on all
our major clients sites throughout the country.

In all cases the customer was approached and asked not to proceed; in most cases the customer
agreed and our crews helped to move the vehicle to a safe location or helped bump start it.

This is clearly an education problem as most members of the public and sometimes even site
staff appear to be unaware of the dangers of inducing a spark in a hazardous area on a
forecourt.
Maybe you can propose a viable solution to educate the public on general forecourt hazards and
th
win £1000 cash in our Forecourt Safety Award? Closing Date is 30 September - see
http://www.xmostrata.com/about/safetyaward/index.php.

Risk management is a big step towards accident prevention; however, it is dependent on the risk firstly
being identified, then controlled. We need safety awareness to be instinctive and form an integral part
of both our working and home lives; it is this, in turn, that may save the lives of others. Remember: if
shared, risks can be mitigated before they pose a threat.

If you have any queries regarding the Safety Bulletin content or require further information please
contact any staff member of Xmo Strata Ltd.