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Risk Assessment: Portable Petroleum Equipment RA

Document Information

Field Value
Document Reference RA09
Issue Number 2
Issue Date 1 June 2026
Next Review 1 June 2027
Prepared By Sean Ashton
Approved By Aaron Mason, Director
Activity/Process Hazard Who/What Affected Existing Controls Pre-Control Risk (S/L/R) New Controls Required Post-Control Risk (S/L/R)
Using portable petrol driven equipment Fire or explosion when refuelling Site personnel, visitors - Burns, blast injuries, fatalities • Petrol stored in suitable containers marked 'petrol highly flammable' with capacity max 5 litres
• Funnels/nozzles provided for safe refuelling
• Quantity of fuel stored kept to minimum
• Foam or powder extinguisher provided
• Flame retardant clothing to EN11612:2008 A1, B1, C1		 5/3/15 (High) • Equipment to be switched off and allowed to cool (5-10 minutes) before refuelling
• Mandatory use of funnel or nozzle
• Prohibition of smoking or naked flames within 10m of refuelling
Site Supervisor, immediate		 5/1/5 (Moderate)
Using portable petrol driven equipment Exposure to carbon monoxide fumes due to poor positioning Site personnel - Breathing difficulties, unconsciousness, possible fatality • Petrol driven equipment such as generators placed on firm stable ground in well-ventilated area 5/2/10 (High) • Never run generators whilst located in van or other enclosed area
• Position equipment with exhaust pointing away from excavations or enclosed spaces
• Toolbox talks to highlight CO dangers
Health & Safety Manager, within 1 month		 5/1/5 (Moderate)
Using portable petrol driven equipment Injury due to handling and manoeuvring plant Site personnel - Strains, sprains, musculoskeletal injuries • See RA - Manual handling
• Training provided to all staff		 3/3/9 (Moderate) • Refresher training on manual handling techniques
• Provision of mechanical aids where possible
Leanne Mason, quarterly		 3/1/3 (Low)
Using portable petrol driven equipment Pollution of ground, drains or nearby waterbodies Environment - Contamination, harm to aquatic life • Plant refuelled in designated areas
• Use of spill prevention equipment during refuelling
• Emergency spill kits available		 3/3/9 (Moderate) • Enhanced training on spill response
• Regular inspection of spill kits to ensure properly stocked
• Designated refuelling areas to be clearly marked
Environmental Manager, within 2 months		 3/1/3 (Low)
Using portable petrol driven equipment Equipment failure leading to injury Site personnel, visitors - Cuts, impact injuries • Regular maintenance schedule
• Pre-use checks required		 3/2/6 (Moderate) • Implementation of formal pre-use check sheet
• Enhanced maintenance regime
• Remove defective equipment from service immediately
Plant Manager, within 1 month		 3/1/3 (Low)
Using portable petrol driven equipment Noise exposure Site personnel, visitors - Hearing damage • Hearing protection provided 3/4/12 (High) • Face-fit testing for hearing protection
• Noise level monitoring
• Signage indicating hearing protection zones
• Job rotation to limit exposure
Health & Safety Manager, within 2 months		 3/1/3 (Low)
Using portable petrol driven equipment Vibration exposure Site personnel - Hand-arm vibration syndrome • Job rotation implemented
• Equipment maintained		 3/3/9 (Moderate) • Implement HAVS health surveillance programme
• Record actual vibration exposure
• Select low-vibration equipment where possible
Occupational Health, within 3 months		 3/1/3 (Low)

Key:

  • S = Severity (1-5 scale)
  • L = Likelihood (1-5 scale)
  • R = Risk Rating (S × L)
  • Risk Levels:
    • Low (1-3)
    • Moderate (4-8)
    • High (9-15)
    • Very High (16-25)
  • EN11612:2008 - Protective clothing against heat and flame