In the operation of service stations, one of the processes carried out on a regular basis is fuel unloading. This unloading is performed from tanker trucks into the facility’s underground storage tanks. These tanks store the fuel that is later dispensed to users or by station staff through the pumps to fill vehicle fuel tanks.

Fuels (gasoline, diesel, etc.) are highly flammable products. For this reason, extreme precautions must be taken and preventive measures implemented during the unloading process. The aim is to ensure safety and prevent risks, accidents, and any type of spills or contamination that could affect people and facilities. The entire process requires compliance with specific procedures, in which different individuals may be involved, each with their own responsibilities.

“Fuel unloading at service stations is a process that requires compliance with specific procedures to ensure safety and prevent risks and accidents.”

THE AOP GUIDE TO FUEL UNLOADING AT SERVICE STATIONS

To help raise awareness of the specific procedures for fuel unloading, the Spanish Association of Petroleum Product Operators (AOP) has published a guide focused on this type of operation. The Guide (Fuel Unloading Guide for Service Stations) is of an advisory nature and sets out guidelines and recommendations based on general technical and safety criteria. These are grounded in national and international regulations governing fuel unloading at attended facilities where no explicit agreement exists assigning responsibilities differently. In addition, the Guide takes into account the regulations applicable to the road transport of dangerous goods, as well as the best practices of companies in the petroleum products sector.

For the practical application of these guidelines and recommendations, occupational risk assessment must also be taken into consideration. This will depend on the job position, local regulations, the contractual relationships in force between the parties involved in transport operations, and the internal procedures of each facility.

In summary, the Guide describes best practices, in terms of safety and accident prevention, for carrying out fuel unloading operations at service stations where the facility’s staff act as those responsible for the unloading process.

CONTENTS OF THE GUIDE

The Guide begins with the definitions of the agents involved in the transport operations. It reviews the roles of loader, unloader, transporter, sender, recipient, crew member, and other participants.

It then analyzes the different stages of the transport operation:

• Arrival of the vehicle at the unloading location: It outlines the responsibilities and minimum safety requirements for the unloading facility.
• Unloading the vehicle: It specifies that facilities must have an appropriate area for fuel unloading in compliance with the relevant regulations. If a product spill occurs after unloading, it must be cleaned up as soon as possible, and the incident should be recorded according to the legal and internal procedures of the company. In cases where an incident occurs, an analysis and evaluation may be mandatory.
• Pre-departure operations: It specifies the actions of the operator and the actions of the facility’s staff before the vehicle departs from the unloading location.

The Guide concludes with an Annex on emergency procedures, detailing the type of emergency, the driver’s actions, and the service station operator’s actions. A second annex focuses on Business Activity Coordination (CAE), as the fuel unloading operation involves workers from multiple concurrent companies (the transporting company and the fuel recipient company).

HAXX IS COMMITTED TO SAFETY

Haxx, the holding company dedicated to the marketing and distribution of petroleum products, operates a network of service stations under its Haxx Oil division. The network consists of five stations located in La Zubia and Churriana de la Vega (Granada), Valdepeñas (Ciudad Real), Sardón de Duero (Valladolid), and As Marismas (Pontevedra).

The Group’s operations are characterized by compliance with legal requirements and by a strong focus on the safety of personnel and facilities. This commitment to safety is global and strategic and extends across all its activities, including fuel unloading operations at the service stations within its network.

“Haxx’s management is characterized by its commitment to the safety of people and facilities in all the activities it carries out.”

In addition, Haxx Oil service stations work to guarantee customers the best possible service, based on the principles of quality, savings, personalized service, and on-forecourt assistance. The stations are located within the area of influence of the Group’s storage facilities and constitute a strategic asset, as they provide brand visibility in the geographical areas where the company has a logistics presence.