Fuels (Petrol & Diesel) COSHH assessment
Petrol and diesel for plant, generators and vehicles are hazardous to health and highly flammable. Storage, decanting and refuelling need controls for both the chemical risk and the fire and explosion risk under DSEAR.
The hazards
- Highly flammable - vapours ignite easily (petrol especially)
- Petrol contains benzene, a recognised carcinogen
- Skin contact causes dermatitis and defatting
- Spills create slip, fire and environmental hazards
Who is at risk
Exposure routes
- Inhalation of vapour
- Skin contact
- Eye contact
Health effects
- Dermatitis and skin defatting
- Headaches and dizziness from vapour
- Long-term risk from benzene in petrol
- Burns from fire
Control measures (hierarchy of control)
Controls should be applied in order — eliminate or substitute first, then engineering controls, then PPE as the last line.
- Store fuel in approved, bunded containers away from ignition sources
- No smoking or naked flames; control ignition sources (DSEAR)
- Decant and refuel in the open air or well-ventilated areas
- Spill kit available; contain spills away from drains
- Avoid skin contact - use gloves and no rag-in-pocket habits
PPE & RPE
- Fuel-resistant gloves (nitrile)
- Eye protection
- Suitable footwear
- RPE only where vapour cannot be controlled
First aid
- Skin: wash with soap and water; remove soaked clothing (fire risk)
- Eyes: irrigate with clean water
- Vapour: move to fresh air
Workplace exposure limit (WEL)
Relevant legislation & guidance
Fuels (Petrol & Diesel) COSHH FAQs
COSHH covers the health risk (vapour, benzene, dermatitis) and DSEAR covers the fire and explosion risk from flammable vapours. Fuel storage and refuelling need both - control ignition sources as well as exposure.
Both are hazardous. Petrol is far more flammable and contains benzene (a carcinogen), so it needs tighter fire controls; diesel is less volatile but still causes dermatitis and its exhaust is carcinogenic.
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