Information about personal safety - handling petroleum spirit

· Do not smoke when using petrol

· Never fill the fuel tank of an internal combustion engine inside a building. Petrol fumes are narcotic and explosive

· Never fill the fuel tank of a petrol-engined appliance while the engine is hot (e.g. lawn mowers). Fuel spilt on hot surfaces (e.g. exhaust manifold) could spontaneously ignite

· Never use petrol as a fire lighting or “fire refreshing” medium. Petrol vapour can ‘flash back’ and ignite containers and operatives

· Never put or keep petrol in unsuitable containers. Some plastic containers will dissolve when petrol is put in them. Always use secure metal or approved plastic containers which are properly marked. (For more information on containers see our other page – “containers for petrol”)

· Be careful not to spill petrol onto clothing. Should clothing become contaminated be careful to keep away from any source of ignition and change clothes as soon as possible.

· Do not use petrol as a means of washing off grease or oil deposits from tools or equipment.

· Always store petrol safely, in proper containers, in a well-ventilated place, never under a stairway, in a passage or in a domestic house. Ensure the storage is away from any source of ignition (e.g. electrical equipment, heaters, etc;). Keep it away from other combustible material.

· Never pour petrol into drains or water courses - it is a criminal offence to do so.

This information is for guidance only and not intended to be a complete statement of the law. For further help or advice please contact us by clicking on the link at the right hand side of this page