Operating heavy machinery, combating weather or handling livestock — running a farm or ranch comes with safety risks.
While he can’t eliminate on-farm risks, Dan Harjes is on a mission to keep farmers and ranchers safe when handling the fuel their operations depend on. Harjes, a senior transportation safety specialist with CHS, works with cooperatives and truck drivers on fuel safety protocols, training fuel handlers how to recognize and prevent fuel safety incidents. He also demonstrates fuel safety for farmers and other users.
“Many producers began handling fuel at a young age. It’s so routine and such an ordinary part of their day-to-day lives that they may not realize just how much risk they’re exposed to or the simple steps that can reduce potential danger to themselves, their operations and their communities,” he says.
Harjes shares simple steps you can use to stay safe while handling fuel.
1. Stop static
When filling a vehicle fuel tank or external gas cans, static electricity transferred throughout the fueling process has the potential to ignite a spark.
“When handling gasoline, fumes and vapors hovering around the fuel are prone to ignite with static electricity,” says Harjes. “Grounding yourself will neutralize the static electricity and keep surprise sparks away from open fumes.”
To avoid a potential static spark while filling your vehicle or external tank, he offers the following advice:
- Always turn off your vehicle while refueling.
- Remain outside your vehicle while fueling. Getting in and out of your vehicle can generate static.
- Touch your vehicle or something metal before touching the gas nozzle. This helps dissipate any static electricity your body is carrying before exposing the charge to fuel fumes.
- When the tank is full, touch your vehicle or something metal again to ensure any static charge has been neutralized before removing the nozzle from the tank.
- When filling gas cans, place them on the ground and keep the pump nozzle in contact with the container while filling.
2. Protect each pour
The 5-gallon gas cans found on most operations harbor hidden potential to ignite with each pour, says Harjes.
“Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and hang around the fuel like a shroud. A tremendous amount of vapor comes through the spout when you pour fuel from a can, putting you at high risk, especially if you’re fueling up a motor that’s running or hot.”
He advises installing a simple, inexpensive flame arrestor in the spout of each can to ensure flames are contained and prevented from reaching your body if a spark should ignite.
“These simple gadgets are cheap, easy to install and could prevent life-threatening injury to you or damage to your operation,” says Harjes.
3. Use bonded fuel hoses
Bonded fuel hoses can also prevent static sparks when handling fuel, especially when hauling and pumping bulk fuel.
“Most new hoses have a wire attached at the nozzle, screwed into the fitting on the tank. The wire is braided throughout the entire hose and bonds the fuel tank when fuel starts flowing to keep the liquid equalized, preventing potentially dangerous electric charges.”
When using older fuel pump hoses without bonded wire, Harjes advises following the same grounding procedures used at the gas pump. Make sure to touch your vehicle or something metal before grabbing the nozzle to dissipate any electric charge.
4. Switch fuels carefully
Harjes advises being wary when repurposing used fuel cans. “Even when filling an older gas can with diesel fuel, which is relatively safe and more forgiving since it has a much higher flashpoint, you still need to be careful of gasoline fumes trapped inside the can. The gasoline may be long gone, but the fumes will still carry a threat.”
When diesel fuel is poured into a container that once held gasoline, gas fumes will linger at the top of the can until they’re forced out by displacement.
“As you pour diesel, those volatile fumes will be forced out toward you and hold the potential to be ignited by a spark,” says Harjes. “Whenever possible, it’s best to avoid switching fuel in cans to avoid risk.”
Check out the full Summer 2024 C magazine with this article and more.
Listen in for fuel safety tips in an Around the Table podcast.
