An Evaluation of the Risk and Safety Standards of some Fuel Stations in Tarkwa

Abstract

Fuel stations play a major role in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry. However, their activities are associated with high risk of safety and environmental issues posing traits to fuel attendants, customers and immediate environs. Since 2007, Ghana has recorded numerous accidents at some fuel stations across the country claiming lives and unaccounted damages to assets due to inadequate knowledge of standardised safety policies and poor handling of petroleum products by fuel station operators, attendants and consumers. This study therefore evaluated the compliance of some fuel filling stations in Tarkwa with reference to National Petroleum Authority’s standards. Areas under review included Technical Requirements, Housekeeping, Infrastructure Requirements, Waste Management Storage and Disposal and Occupational Health and Safety. Ten out of fifteen filling stations were evaluated through field visit, interviews, personal observations and administration of questionnaire. The study revealed that, almost all the stations do comply with NPA safety standards to some extent; 40% fell in category A while 60% fell in category B of NPA grading system. Majority of the stations are lacking in the Technical Requirement and Occupational Health and Safety areas which are vital areas to avoiding possible fires and explosions. All fuel stations lacking in any of the five areas of assessment and especially those in the category B per the ranking should be compelled by NPA and oil marketing companies to upgrade their systems to meet grade A standard in order to avoid any unforeseen hazards.