Most emergencies involving oil and gas at gas stations are minor leaks and spills, which can be resolved within a few hours if handled properly. However, if not handled properly, even minor incidents can escalate. The goal of emergency response arrangements is not to pass inspections, but to ensure that on-duty employees know what to do first when a real incident occurs: cut off the source, set up a warning area, and report the incident. These three actions should become muscle memory.
A common flaw in emergency plans is that they are often written extensively but rarely practiced: dozens of pages stored in the filing cabinet, yet employees cannot answer where the emergency equipment is located. For emergency plans to be effectively implemented, they should be concise and specific in action. Regular drills are necessary to turn paper arrangements into on-site capabilities.
What should the plan be written about
The plan is written by scenario classification, with each scenario consisting of three sections: judgment criteria - what phenomenon qualifies as this type of event; disposal steps - who will do what, arranged in order; and reporting path - who to report to first, who to report to next, and at what level to report to the outside. The scenarios can be categorized into three types: leakage, fire, and equipment failure, which covers a sufficient range and is easy for employees to remember.
The division of labor is assigned to specific positions rather than individuals: due to the high turnover of personnel at gas stations, the emergency plan outlines responsibilities for positions such as team leader, attendant, and cashier. If there is a change in personnel, the emergency plan remains unchanged. The contact information sheet is laminated on a separate page, so that only this page needs to be updated when there is a change in phone number.
How to organize a drill
Drills are conducted quarterly, with one scenario per drill: the first is an actual drill with an alarm, where all personnel follow the plan; the second is a tabletop exercise, where the process is reviewed orally and abnormal scenarios are tested. Photos and records of the actual drills are retained, which is both a compliance requirement and training material for new employees.
Drills are only valuable when real problems are identified: After each drill, take ten minutes to review and record any steps that were stuck, any equipment that was not convenient to use, or any unreachable reporting numbers. Then revise the plan and equipment accordingly. If drills are the same every year and end after completion, they will not help develop real skills and leave no record of improvement.
The frequency of drills is also important: quarterly drills should be staggered to avoid the peak production period, and each drill should be controlled within half an hour to avoid making drills a burden. Only drills with light burden can be persisted, and only those that are persisted can accumulate experience. The emergency response capability of the station is built up through practice time and time again.
How to equip the equipment
| equipment | Usage | Management points |
|---|---|---|
| Dry powder fire extinguisher | Initial fire situation | Monthly check pressure gauge and expiration date |
| Oil-absorbing felt sand | Ground oil product containment | Store in a rain-proof place to keep it dry |
| Leakage stoppage tool | Leakage prevention of interfaces and pipe fittings | The supporting components are complete and in sets |
| Explosion-proof flashlight | Night lighting | Regular charging and discharging |
| caution tape | On-site isolation | Adequate quantity, available for use whenever needed |
| Emergency communication list | Reporting and Contact | Plastic packaging and labeling are updated promptly |
The key points of equipment management are fixed placement and routine inspection: each piece of equipment should be placed in a fixed location, and the location should be marked on the station's floor plan and posted; monthly routine inspection should verify the quantity, appearance, and expiration date, and check the integrity of fire extinguisher pressure gauges, oil absorbent packaging, and leak-stopping tools item by item. Equipment should be replenished and recorded immediately after use, and any shortages should not be discovered until the next routine inspection.
How to implement emergency arrangements
- The contingency plan is drafted based on three types of scenarios, with specific responsibilities assigned to each position;
- Emergency equipment is placed and positioned in a fixed manner, with a plan posted inside the station;
- Conduct monthly inspections to verify the status of equipment, replenish after use, and keep records;
- Each quarterly drill focuses on a specific scenario, alternating between real-life scenarios and simulated scenarios;
- During each rehearsal review, the plan and equipment are revised according to the conclusions;
- The new employee should complete an emergency procedure walk-through during their first week on the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
With fewer people at the small station, should we still carry out drills?
"Do it, and practice even more: having fewer people means that everyone has to step up when something goes wrong, making cooperation between positions even more crucial. Small station drills can simplify the scale, but the coverage of scenarios and frequency remain unchanged.".
Should employees' incorrect actions during the drill be corrected on the spot or discussed afterwards?
Issues within the safety red line should be stopped and corrected on the spot. Deviations in operational details should be noted and discussed during the review. The atmosphere of the drill should allow for mistakes to be made, and it is better to expose errors during the drill rather than waiting until they occur in real events.
How often is the plan revised?
Conduct a comprehensive revision annually, and make revisions at any time based on issues identified during regular drills and reviews. Immediately arrange revisions in the event of station layout modifications, changes in oil product structure, or adjustments to personnel structure.
This article is compiled by Luoyang Wohong Petrochemical Equipment Co., Ltd. The company provides design and manufacturing, skid-mounted customization, installation and commissioning, as well as after-sales operation and maintenance services for three-time oil and gas recovery equipment to gas stations and oil depots. If you need on-site inspection or scheme configuration, please feel free to contact us for discussion.