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Ranch Operations, Facilities & EquipmentFuel Storage Safety
Fuel is a fire hazard and a pollution risk. Good tank placement, careful handling and a spill plan protect people, cattle, water and your wallet.
Key points
- Place tanks away from buildings, hay, animals and water.
- Refuel only cool, shut-off engines, with no flame nearby.
- Use approved, labeled containers.
- Keep fire extinguishers and spill supplies close.
- Check local and state rules on tanks and spill reporting.
Know the hazards
Gasoline gives off vapors that can ignite from a spark far from where the fuel is. Diesel is less volatile but still burns, and both can contaminate soil and water. Fuel spilled near a well, stream or stock pond can harm water for a long time, and animals can be poisoned or injured by licking or walking in spills. Treat every fueling task as a fire and spill risk.
Pay attention to the smell of fuel in shops and sheds. A strong odor can mean a leak or poor ventilation, and it should be investigated right away.
Keep children and visitors away from fuel areas, and teach everyone on the place the basic rules.
Where to put tanks
Locate tanks away from buildings, hay, bedding and cattle pens. Keep them clear of wells, ponds, creeks and drainage paths. Place them on firm, level ground with room for trucks to maneuver. Rules on tank size, spacing, containment and registration vary by state and county, so check with your state department of agriculture, fire marshal and environmental agency before installing or moving a tank.
Ask your insurance agent whether your tank setup meets their requirements, since some policies set conditions on fuel storage.
- Keep tanks away from hay, barns and animals
- Stay clear of wells, creeks and drainage
- Use a sturdy stand and a level base
- Add containment where rules or good sense call for it
- Mark tanks clearly and keep the area free of brush
- Lock tanks to prevent theft and misuse
Handling fuel safely
Shut off engines and let hot equipment cool before refueling. Do not smoke or allow open flame nearby. Ground portable containers when filling and use only approved containers for each fuel type, labeled clearly. Never put gasoline in a container meant for something else, or in drinking bottles. Fill containers on the ground rather than in a pickup bed lined with plastic, since static electricity can build up. Do not overfill, and do not use fuel to start fires or clean parts.
Use a funnel or a nozzle suited to the container to cut down on splashing, and wipe up small drips right away.
Fire readiness
Keep fire extinguishers rated for fuel fires near tanks and in the shop, trucks and tractors, and check them on a schedule. Make sure everyone on the place knows where they are and how to use them. Keep the area around tanks mowed and free of dry grass and trash. Post emergency numbers and know how to shut off pumps. Talk with your local fire department about your setup, since they can point out hazards and plan how to respond.
Include the fuel area in your fire plan: where the nearest water is, how responders would reach it and where cattle would go if there was a fire.
Spill prevention and response
Check hoses, nozzles, fittings and tanks for leaks and wear. Replace cracked hoses and rusting tanks. Keep absorbent material and a shovel on hand. If a spill happens, stop the source if it is safe, keep animals and people away and contain the spill to keep it from reaching water. Report significant spills to the agency your state requires, since reporting rules differ. Do not wash fuel into the ground or a drain. Ask your state environmental agency or extension office how to dispose of contaminated soil and absorbent.
Practice the spill response once so everyone on the ranch knows where the supplies are.
Record keeping and security
Keep a simple log of fuel in and out. A sudden drop that does not match use can mean a leak or theft. Lock tanks and pumps, and keep keys controlled. Keep the delivery supplier's number and the tank details, such as size and age, in your files for insurance and inspections.
Record the date of each tank inspection and any repairs. Old, rusted tanks leak, and replacing one is cheaper than cleaning up soil and water.
Common mistakes
Typical mistakes include storing fuel too close to buildings or hay, using the wrong container, refueling hot engines, skipping extinguishers and ignoring small leaks. Another is leaving old fuel and containers around the farmyard. Dispose of old fuel properly through a hazardous waste program in your area rather than dumping it.
Sources and further reading
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.