Introduction
A petrol station is a place where fuel, kerosene, gas are sold and often with a small shop and public toilets. According to Chatto and Tolhurst (2008), service point could be distributed rationally according to the size spacing or distance and population to be served. This means that demand for product sold at filling station would be satisfied by a system of service point at the central places. Consequently, the tangible expression in the landscape should be distributed on the service point at which a variety of demands are satisfied.
Robert (2011) also argues however that it is possible to have unequal distribution of service centres (i.e. central places). As a result more filling stations are sited indiscriminately in locations close to homes, road and workplace of individuals, while others build filling station in the same land they live on.
The high concentrations of petrol stations in towns where people live have resulted to the occurrence of different problems such as water pollution, land pollution, fire outbreak and explosions which is dangerous to the environment and overall health or even death to the people living in the area.
Also, some petrol stations are very close to each other which is also dangerous to health. Among the hazards associated with petrol stations are the leaking of underground storage tank (UST); which can contaminate ground water (Ahmed, Kutty, Khamidi, & Shariff, 2010), fire hazard evoke by aromatic compound concentration (Babrauskas, 2005) and traffic jam due to vehicle queue to access petrol station.
According to Wright (2007) filling station should be located at least a distance of 150 m from another, 30 m distance from residential area and 30m setback from the road. Wright (2007) further stressed that when siting a filling station, it should not be close to “vulnerable” facilities such as hospitals, health centres, schools and old people home. If for economic reason or as a necessity there is need to site a filling station close to the afore-mentioned vulnerable facilities, it should be sited at a distance not less that 100m away (Matori, 2010).
According to Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) (2010), in siting a petrol station, the proposed site must meet the following standard set up by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Department of Petroleum Resources before an approval can be granted;
- It does not fall within any pipeline right of way
- The distance between the highway leading to and passing the proposed site is within the distance specified in the regulation.
- The distance between an existing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plants is in consonant with the distance specified in the Regulation.
- The distance of the proposed site from another property which may be built upon shall not be less than 50 feet.
- The drainages to constructed or existing ones shall not be channeled to a stream or water.
- The proposed site is not less than the distance specified in the regulation of public buildings, schools etc
- The proposed site shall not constitute a threat or hazard to the area.
- The proposed site is up and above two plots of 100 x 100 meters
Definition of a Petrol Station
A petrol station, filling station, gas station, fuelling station or service station is a facility which sells fuels and lubricants for motor vehicle, the most common fuel sold is petrol and kerosene (Okon, 2009).
According to Adebanjo (2005), petrol station should be located not only where they, in fact accessible but where they can be easily located by strangers and that, in details, they should be placed where they will cause little danger and congestion as much as possible.
Service point could be distributed rationally according to the size spacing or distance and population to be served. According to Central Place Theory, petroleum can also cause damage to the environment (Chatto & Tolhurst, 2008).
Types of hazards associated with indiscriminate siting of petrol station
There are different types of hazards associated with indiscriminate siting of petrol station. According to Orji (2006), they are;
- Health hazards
- Fire and explosion hazards
- Environmental hazards
Health hazards
Health hazards refers to substance that is carcinogenic, corrosive, irritant, and toxic or can damage eyes, lungs, mucous membranes or skin which produce acute or chronic health effects (Ukpong, 2009).
Excessive exposure to petrol vapour can be harmful. Swallowing petrol or getting it on skin may pose other health hazards. Researchers found that air in the immediate vicinity of garages is often polluted and can harm local residents.
Experts say that it should be a minimum distance of 50 yards should be maintained between petrol stations and housing (Orji, 2006). A 100 yards minimum distance should apply to “vulnerable” facilities such as hospitals, health care centres, schools and old peoples’ homes (Matori, 2010).
Fire and explosion hazards
Petrol is a volatile liquid, which gives off flammable vapour at very low temperature – down to about minus 40oC. this vapour when mixed with air in certain proportions forms a highly flammable atmosphere, which can burn or explode if ignited (Orji, 2006).
Wright (2007) also added that a mixture containing about 1% to 8% of petrol vapour is flammable. Petrol vapour is heavier than air; it does not disperse easily in still conditions and tends to stick to the lowest level within its surroundings.
It may accumulate in tanks, drains, pits and other depressions. Accumulations of vapour in enclosed spaces or other poorly ventilated areas can persist for a long time, even where there is no longer any visible sign of the liquid itself.
Petrol floats in water and if it is spilt or leaks into the ground, can be carried a long distance by water courses, ducts, drains or ground water. This can lead to fire explosion hazards some distance from where the petrol was usually released. Therefore, the siting of fuel stations close to residential areas and buildings pose various health risks.
Environmental hazards
Cassidy (2011) stated that petrol station poses high environmental hazard, especially when sited indiscriminately. They can pollute the environment in various ways. Fuel lost from storage tanks can pollute the soil and groundwater. Waste oil from storage tanks can pollute the soil and groundwater. Hydrocarbon fumes from vehicle fuelling can contaminate the air.
Spills from fuelling can contaminate the soil and groundwater and runoff into the sewers. Exhaust from cars can pollute the air. Drips from vehicles and pumps can runoff into sewers and some can also pollute the soil.
Safety in petrol filling stations
Petrol filling stations are particularly hazardous work places which are required to be licensed because they store and sell a highly flammable liquid. The following details highlight some hazards, which may exist and their control measures (Matori, 2010).
Types of risks associated with indiscriminate siting of petrol station
Ukpong (2009) identified the risks associated with indiscriminate siting of petrol stations to include;
- Fuel storage
- Vehicle movement
- Slips, trips and falls
- Fire risks
- Electricity
- Manual handling
Fuel storage
The storage of petrol may pose several risks, fire/explosion, environmental damage, health effects when handled by individuals.
Vehicle movement
There is considerable movement of cars and other vehicles on the forecourt which could lead to accidental collision with structures, people and other vehicles.
Slips, trips and falls
Fuel and oil spillage on the forecourt can present a slippery hazards.
Fire risks
Obstruction exists, for example by stock and/or accumulation of packaging can prevent escape and provide fuel for fires.
Electricity
Accidents are mainly due to misuse of or badly maintained equipment and there is an increased risk of electric shocks when using equipment externally in a wet environment for example, commercial vacuums and car washes.
Manual handling
The removal of excess covers to storage tanks, moving liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)cylinders and positioning fluid containers may cause back injuries and muscular strains.
Control measures to hazards associated with indiscriminate siting of petrol station
According to Orji (2006), the following are control measure to hazards associated with indiscriminate siting of petrol station;
- Ensure that all staff are adequately trained (retain training records).
- Display clear information/warning signs, setting out the traffic.
- Staff should be trained on how to deal with the minor fuel spillages.
- Avoid lifting of heavy items, use trolleys.
- Clear rubbish regularly. Sand used to clean petrol spills will be flammable and should be disposed off safely by a hazardous waste disposal company if necessary.
- Eliminate all necessary manual handling.
- Fit a readily accessible emergency button to mechanical car washes.
- Train staff on proper handling techniques.
- All electrical equipment used outdoors should be supplied through circuit protected by a 30mA residual current device.
- Ensure that appropriate wet stock management procedures are used.
- Storage tanks and dispense pump are adequately maintained and monitored.
- All electrical switch gears control machineries should be clearly labelled and readily accessible at all times.
- Provide suitable equipment, for example, keys for lifting manhole covers.
References
Adebanjo, H. (2005). “Safety Management System for Fuel Stations”, Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 05 (12):124-129.
Ahmed, M., Kutty, S., Khamidi, F. & Shariff, A. (2010). Mitigation Strategies to Improve Safety Conditions at Fuel Stations”, 2nd International Conference on The Roles of Humanities and Social Sciences in Engineering, Malaysia, 978-967-5760-05-1.
Babrauskas, V. (April 18th 2005). Some Basic Facts About Ignition Events During Fueling of Motor Vehicles at Filling Stations, California Fire/Arson Investigator 16, 25
Cassey, A. (2010). Basic Safety Principles for Gas Station Operator. Edinburgh: Crest Publishers
Cassidy, M. (2011). Exposure to volatile organic compounds for individuals with occupations associated with potential exposure to motor vehicle exhaust and/or gasoline vapor emissions. Science of the total Environment 269(1-3): 25-37.
Chatto, K. & Tolhurst, K. (2008). Overall Fuel Hazard Guide. Research Report No. 47. Fire Management Branch, Dept. of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria.
Herbert, F. & Helander, B. (2008). “Characterization and Health Risk Assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds in Gas Service Station Workers”, Environment Asia 2(08): 21-29.
Matori, B. (2010) “Suitability Analysis of Petrol Filling Station Site Using GIS”, Malaysian Construction Research Journal 7 (2):1-14.
Okon, B. (2009). Research Article Exposure of Petrol Station Attendants and AutoMechanics to Premium Motor Sprit Fumes in Calabar, Nigeria, Journal of Environmental and Public Health. 7(09): 28- 37
Orji, K. (2006). Gasoline vapor exposures at a high volume service station. American Industrial Hygiene Association 06(47): 535-39.
Robert, E. (2011). “Risk Assessment of LPG automotive refueling facilities”. Reliability Engineering and System Safety 74(11): 283-290.
Ukpong, Y. (2009). Analysis of Fuel Stations Hazards By Using Risk Assessment Criteria, Journal of Environmental and Public Health 09 (3): 346-58
Wright, F. (2007). Law of Health and Safety at Work, London: Sweet and Maxwell.
