After a long, hot summer, autumn is finally in the air. With crisp mornings and darker nights on the way, the change in season brings about new risks to those delivering and handling fuel. As your customers begin to arrange their autumn deliveries, here are our top tips for keeping your operations safe in the colder months ahead:
1. Stay vigilant in the dark:
Spring forward, fall back! With darker evenings once the clocks go back, you may find your team making more and more deliveries to customers in the dark. Drive safely as the lower sun in the sky can cause poorer visibility in addition to being on dark roads. Don’t forget to ensure delivery areas are as well-lit as possible, being careful of stepping on pipework or other hazards which may be in your pathway.
2. Watch out for fallen leaves:
There’s nothing quite like the striking colours of the autumn as the leaves begin to turn. But all those leaves have got to end up somewhere and, as keen gardeners know, they get everywhere! When making deliveries to your customers, ensure walkways are clear of leaves which can make pathways slippery and that the appropriate footwear is worn to reduce the risk of falling. Keep drains in the yard clear of fallen leaves to allow for proper drainage of rainfall.
3. Keep an eye on the weather:
With heavy rain and storms predicted for the autumn*, keep your team safe whilst on the road. Heavy rainfall introduces new hazards to all drivers, making for poorer visibility and a risk of flooding and standing water on the roads. Keep your screen wash topped up, check the grip on your tyres, watch out for spray from other traffic and mind your speed and stopping distances to minimise the chances of having an accident in the bad weather.
4. Be wary of fire risks:
Remember, remember the 5th of November! With many festivities taking place in the autumn months such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali, your customers may have recently hosted celebrations of their own. Be mindful of delivering to sites where bonfires or fireworks may have been and stay vigilant for remanent hot embers. Keep tankers parked well away and ensure the hose path is clear before delivery.
5. Look out for ice patches:
The chillier weather is on the way and it’s time to watch your step. Frosty mornings can make for icy patches on hardstanding as well as other surfaces. Make sure yards are well gritted and PPE is in good condition to keep your staff safe and avoid slips and trips. Don’t forget to watch out for black ice on the roads too!
What if the Worst Happens?
When it all goes wrong is when you need your insurers most. As joint owners of the Oilshield Insurance and Risk Management scheme, Compass Environmental are good people to know. We are available 24-7 to assist Oilshield clients at their time of need. We are ISAS Accredited Spill Managers and Consultants and have direct access to a nationwide network of ISAS Accredited Spill Response Contractors. From arranging emergency response, communication with third parties and regulators, determining and delivering the most appropriate remediation strategy to claim sign off and closure, we are there for you every step of the way.
As well as robust spillage incident management you can depend on; the Compass team can also offer free or discounted rates to Oilshield clients on Environmental Risk Management services such as Spill Preparedness Reviews and Driver CPC qualifying Spill Response Training to help identify your risks before they escalate. By being insured with Oilshield, you have access to all of this and more, get in touch with our Oilshield team today to find out more.
