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Have you checked your petrochemicals?
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Ensuring all petrochemicals (fuels and oils) on farm are stored and handled correctly greatly reduces the risk of any potential harm or loss to you, your staff, business and the environment.
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Key factors to consider:
It is important to ensure that:
- Fuels and lubricants are stored appropriately on farm.
- Bulk fuel tanks are appropriately located on farm.
- Mobile fuel tanks are appropriately handled on farm.
- Waste petrochemicals are appropriately stored and disposed.
- Appropriate petrochemical signage on farm.
- Spills on farm are contained appropriately.
- All licensing and notification requirements are met.
- Work health and safety is managed with the appropriate petrochemical emergency procedures in place, and
- Advice is provided to farm staff as to the safe handling and storage of petrochemicals on farm.
In this CottonInfo video featuring Auscott’s Jeff Rutter, we take a look at the importance of bunding fuel tanks and other petrochemical safety issues on farm.
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Do you know the Standards?
Businesses that fail to comply with environmental conditions and Australian Standard for the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids can be charged maximum penalties.
In one example, a Central Queensland earthmoving company was fined $45,000 over unauthorised frequent spills of waste oil and diesel near Gladstone. The company was also charged in relation to failing to sufficiently bund all liquid chemicals and waste containers.
It’s important for cotton growers that their farms are adequately prepared for the storing and handling of fuel and oils. All growers are expected to follow Australian Standards with these practices helping to protect you and your farm employees if something unfortunate was to happen on farm.
The correct storing and handling of petrochemicals can also further increase your fuel and oil efficiencies on farm. Best practices such as recording fuel use on all tanks on farm can assist with determining efficiency calculations or identifying any losses that may be occurring.
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myBMP can help:
 The Australian cotton industry myBMP petrochemical module provides check list items that are based on the Australian Standard for the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
In some cases, WHS legislation relies on a risk management approach, rather than requiring specific practices to be carried out. While this allows for a more flexible approach to managing hazards, finding the best controls and implementing them can remain a challenge - so if you need assistance, we recommend seeking advice from your state WHS authority.
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