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Trailer electrical plug maintenance leads to fire

In a recent early morning fuel delivery, being dark the driver turned on the tanker work light and connected a transfer hose to the customer diesel tank delivery point. The driver then proceeded to connect the other end of the transfer hose to the tanker.  It was at this point that a spark occurred jumping between the open end of the transfer hose and tanker connection point.

The spark most likely ignited vapour from petroleum residue left in the transfer hose from a previous delivery, the vapours emanating from the open end of the transfer hose.

The tanker combination was later inspected by an auto electrician for faults, while replicating the fault the auto
electrician discovered that a newly fitted stainless steel male trailer plug and its centre retaining clip had pinched the work light power cable, exposing the inner wire, allowing power to travel through the body of the male plug into the female plug body and on to through to the tanker, thus making the tanker structure live!

Please read the attached flyer for more details and the learnings.

SLP flyer (Trailer Plug Incident)

Regards
SLP Manger
Lee Stringer

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Return To Service Documents Protect Drivers & AIL’s

In a recent incident a driver attempted to load a tanker at an SLP terminal before the tanker had not been released for loading by a repairer. The incident has learnings for drivers and repairers, in this case the repairer was an SLP Authorised Inspection Location.

The key point for a driver in this incident was that the tanker was clearly not in a normal condition, (a compartment outlet pipe and API valve had been removed from the tanker)
If the tanker does not look normal or a driver suspects the tanker condition has changed the driver must request a return to service document be provided so the driver can assess if the tanker has been made fit to put back into service.

The repairer must ensure they do one of 2 things, either put the tanker into a safe condition where it can be put back in service and supply the tanker operator with a return to service document confirming the tanker is safe to use, or ensure the tanker operator is made fully aware the tanker is not fit for service.
The repairer can fit a lock out tag indicating the tanker out service or tape a notice on the tanker barrel advising the vehicle is not fit for service. The lock out or tag out can be placed on the drive away protection system gate.

-DRIVERS if the tanker does not look like it normally does or you know its returning from repairs or service you must insist on a return to service document!
-REPAIRERS (AIL’S) if the tanker is not ready for use, lock the tanker out of service via a lock out or tag out system.
-REPAIRERS (AIL’s) if the tanker is fit for service provide the operator with access to a completed return to service document.

Incident Flyer

Lee Stringer
SLP Manager
[email protected]
0419908919

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Are your OverFill Protection probes fail safe?

A Civacon overfill protection probe recently failed to shut down a fuel terminal loading gantry when the compartment was overloaded due to human error. The probe was similar to probes that had been previously subject to
an Australia wide industry recall in 2012, the probes distributed by Treloar Group Pty Limited.

Authorised Inspection Locations:

  • do you suspect any of your customers are still using glass tipped Civacon probes?
  • have you spoken to your customers about the risk of using these glass tipped Civacon probes?
  • do you pay extra attention to tankers with a built date of before March 2012? (as they may be fitted with glass tipped Civacon probes)
  • do you pay extra attention to vehicles fitted with Treloar hatches or hatch equipment? ( as they may be fitted with glass tipped Civacon probes)

Tanker Owner:

  • do you suspect any of your tankers are still using glass tipped Civacon probes?
  • have you spoken to your maintenance provider about the risk of using these glass tipped Civacon probes?
  • was any of your tankers built before March 2012? (as they may be fitted with glass tipped Civacon probes)
  • is any of your tankers fitted with Treloar hatches or hatch equipment? (as they may be fitted with glass tipped Civacon probes)

If your driver makes a mistake and overloads a compartment on his/her tanker and the overfill protection probe fails to shut down the loading system, the potential for a catastrophic event including loss of life is extremely high, protect your drivers and your assets by ensuring you are not still operating equipment fitted with glass tipped Civacon probes.

 

PROBE ALERT FLYER

Regards
All enquires, please contact:

Lee Stringer
SLP Manager [email protected]

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