Page 838 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 310

05 July 2012

Positive Intervention of Mobile Phone Users of Forecourt

Why are mobile phones not allowed on forecourts? Much like the recent advertisement showing how
cigarette smoke can linger and migrate to places you didn’t foresee, although invisible to the naked eye,
fuel vapours can linger and cling to clothes, skin, any surface, which is only visible through a specially
designed camera.

There is much controversy and differing opinions, but is very unlikely that this vapour would be
ignited by the RF energy, but more likely by a spark from the non-intrinsically designed switch
contacts (the battery). The vapours may get into the casing of the phone for example.

The same applies for all electronic devices, but in particular, with a mobile phone, the source of
ignition is usually in the site patron’s pocket, almost exactly level with the fill point in your car, and
usually in quite close proximity.

With a high concentration of fuel vapour to air, the vapour is difficult to ignite, similarly at the other
extreme, a small proportion of fuel to a lot or air is also relatively safe. Many sites now have Stage 2
Vapour Recovery (at the pump), which means that the ratio of fuel vapour to air is now right in the
middle of the ‘explosion band’ and it is very easy to ignite!

Whilst the likelihood of an explosion or fire from a mobile phone is low, the severity is very high. It
also still remains a risk, and one that we can very easily control, so the Major oil companies and the
relative authorities have considered it significant enough to enforce the rule, and it is our duty to
comply.

We encourage all our teams to address any unsafe behaviour they witness in order to prevent accidents
and maintain a safety culture. However some people can become abusive or even aggressive when
asked to think about the unsafe act they are undertaking. There are techniques that can be used to
reduce the risk of a conflict:

• Never confront someone in front of others; the person may get defensive which could lead to
confrontation or aggression.

• Approach the person in a calm manner, never raise your voice, and take them out of earshot of
others.

• Instead of accusing someone of breaking rules or working dangerously, express concern about
their welfare and say that you are worried that they might get hurt. This is far more likely to be
received well.

• If you approach someone in a concerned and caring way, the risk of violence should be nil - if
violence is threatened or the person becomes hostile, back away and weigh up the risk of the
unsafe act against the risk of confrontation.