This Plant Refuelling & Spill Response SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) gives your team a clear method for refuelling mobile plant such as excavators, rollers, generators and compactors from a fuel truck or mobile bowser on civil and earthworks sites. It covers positioning the fuel truck, shutting down and cooling the plant, ignition control, bonding and earthing, filling without overflow, and containing and reporting fuel spills. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Civil and earthworks contractors
Road construction and maintenance crews
Plant hire and fuel delivery operators
Quarries and mining contractors
Site supervisors and leading hands
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Fuel vapour igniting on hot engine or exhaust surfaces
Static discharge during fuel transfer
Skin and eye contact with fuel
Inhaling fuel vapour in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas
Slips on spilled or leaked fuel
Being struck or crushed by plant that isn't shut down and braked
Fuel spray or overflow from overfilling or tank pressure
Spills contaminating soil, stormwater drains or waterways
Manual handling of fuel hoses, nozzles and spill kits
What's included
8 pre-operational checks, from training and positioning the fuel truck to the tank, cap and breather, ignition sources, hose and bonding lead, spill kit, SDS and wind
A 10-step operating procedure covering confirming fuel type, releasing tank pressure, staying with the nozzle, avoiding overfill and wiping down before restart
Isolation and energy control for shutting down plant, lowering attachments, cooling hot surfaces and bonding the fuel truck to control static
7 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for spills and overflows, spills reaching drains or soil, fuel contact with skin or eyes and fuel fires
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Civil & Earthworks SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it cover fixed fuel storage?
No. Fixed farm fuel storage and general site fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure are covered by separate procedures. This SOP covers refuelling from a fuel truck or mobile bowser.
Does it include spill response?
Yes. It covers stopping the flow, containing the spill with the spill kit, keeping fuel out of drains and waterways, disposing of used absorbents and reporting every spill.
Can plant be refuelled with the engine running?
No. The engine must be shut down, the park brake applied and attachments lowered, and hot components allowed to cool, before refuelling starts.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
