Unloading petrol — a draft revised code of practice

A revised version of the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) on the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) L133 for unloading petrol from road tankers has been put out for consultation by the HSE.

The changes proposed include:

• more emphasis on the importance of following risk assessment aspects of DSEAR;

• more focus on systems in place to contact emergency services;

• more extensive sections of guidance on overfills and spillages to provide more information on how to manage these common problems;

• clearer definitions on some terminology used, for example maximum working capacity of storage tanks;

• rewriting the ACOP to make sure that all those affected by the regulations, are clear on what they need to do to follow the regulations; and

• signposting to separate HSE guidance on working at height to make sure that the ACOP is focused on providing information on the main DSEAR aspects of safe unloading of petrol.

The ACOP is being revised as a result of Professor Löfstedt’s independent review of health and safety legislation, Reclaiming health and safety for all, to simplify it and bring it up to date. The legal responsibilities under the regulations remain the same. The consultation is ends on 22 July.

www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd271.htm