Preventing Fuel Station Accidents: The Importance of Community Involvement

Abstract

From 2016-2018 there were 120 fuel station accidents in Indonesia. Fuel station accidents may harm not only workers but also the public. Major accidents in fuel stations have caused multiple fatalities and injuries. Various research regarding fuel stations has been done, but research on the role of the community in preventing fuel station accidents is limited. Therefore, studying the cause and effect of fuel station accidents is essential. The study aims to collect accident information and determine the impact, cause, and possible prevention programs for fuel station accidents. Study methods use data collection and classification, followed by qualitative analysis. Data were collected from the top 10 national news portals and tabulated in a structured manner. Twenty-nine fuel station accidents were identified and evaluated. These data were then categorized and analyzed to obtain the dominant effects of accidents. Accident causes were also investigated to provide an understanding and propose accident prevention programs adopted from previous research in various fields. It is concluded that fuel station accidents in Indonesia are dominated by vehicle fires, which involve consumer vehicles. The causes of accidents vary, but most of them were concerning the technical condition of vehicles, and a few were unsafe operations. To prevent future accidents, it is essential to ensure compliance with regulations and standards of facilities and equipment. Furthermore, community involvement is also crucial. Therefore, more efforts are needed to increase public awareness of fuel station hazards and how the community can be involved in preventing future accidents.

Influence of Safety Climate on Safety Performance in Gas Stations in Indonesia

“…Although tanker unloading was identified as the activity with most significant risk factor [20], the frequency of this activity is much less than fuel dispensing, i.e., filling fuel to consumer vehicles. In addition, fuel dispensing activity involves interaction between gas station workers and the consumer driving the vehicles, for which unsafe behaviors often occur and need to be controlled [2].…”

“…Moreover, a safety climate assessment in gas stations in Indonesia using the NOSACQ-50 questionnaire in West Java Region, Indonesia, showed that personal risk-taking behavior remains an issue to be resolved [14]. Another aspect specific to gas station safety is the involvement of the community in building safety awareness, since gas stations are usually located close to community dwellings [2].…”

“…The key to effective communication is to select the most appropriate means by considering the type and background (cultural and educational) [27]. Management and supervisors should also consider two-way communication with workers [2].…”

“…A recent fire in a gas station in Creeslough, Ireland, caused multiple fatalities, with 10 deaths [1]. Twenty-five gas station accidents in Indonesia were recorded in 2022, which caused two deaths and 14 people injured [2]. In February 2023, there have been two gas station fires in Indonesia.…”

Evaluating and Improving the Spatial Distribution Using GIS to Avoid Environmental Risks and Achieve Safety for Petrol Stations in the Nile District Center in Mahaweel / Iraq

“…By taking all necessary precautions, we can help to reduce the risk of accidents at gas stations and keep ourselves and others safe [39].…”