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I guess the question is this; if carrying fuel is not compliant with HSE regulations then why is it acceptable for private vehicles (namely cars) to have a 5L plastic container of fuel, where presumably it is less likely to be stored securely in a fire-proof box...?
I would have thought that the more sensible option for spare fuel would be to make it unacceptable to carry more than 5L in the vehicle in the first place!
The HSE guidance above relates to the commercial Carriage of Dangerous Goods (CDG) regulations such as the bulk movement of certain goods from point a to point b via a courier making a financial transactions.
DOT guidance allows carriage of upto 15L of fuel in approved 5l plastic cans or metal 10l cans conforming to current BS regs ( there is some possibility this has changed to 10l cans ). This must be classed as 'spare fuel'. Definition of 'spare'....is open to interpretation.
Your commercial insurance company will prohibit carriage of any more than this unless CDG regs are used. Your insurance sky rockets if transporting upto 333L of fuel.
Vehicle insurance, especially for LGV, normally stipulate no more than 10l, in suitable containers, SECURELY restrained at all times.
IF not, subsequent claims may well be declined, especially if fuel containers contributed to vehicle loss or 3rd party claims. Best practice guides recommend at least a 1L suitable extinguisher be carried.
This has come up before on LJN and I suspect a large number do not declare they carry more than 5l, but less than 15l when insuring.
There is a real grey area regarding fuel within machinery being carried. I would not want to test that out in court. What you don't want is a combined DOT/VoSA/EA roadside stop check.
If anyone has more info or insurance company written guidance it would be good to see it placed on LJN.
PLASTIC CONTAINERS
12 The Petroleum-Spirit (Plastic Containers) Regulations 1982 allow plastic containers to be used as well as metal. They exempt from the need for a licence certain amounts of petrol kept in plastic containers for the purposes of refuelling internal combustion engines and not for sale.
13 For storage in plastic container without a licence the containers must:
a) be constructed of suitable materials;
b) have maximum capacity of five litres;
c) be designed and constructed properly;
d) have appropriate markings or labels;
and the quantities that can be stored are:
i) two containers can be kept on any motor vehicle, motor boat, aircraft or hovercraft;
ii) plus two further containers can be in a safe place in any domestic premises;
iii) plus two more containers can be kept in any other safe place at least 6m from the first.
These quantities are in addition to any petrol kept in metal containers.
Essentially don't keep too much fuel in your vehicle! I doubt many of us will really need more than 5L to run a strimmer etc.
If you have a tractor/ride-on mower on a trailer do these regulations still apply, or are trailers different?
As with most things, there are rules, and there are practicalities.
Interesting commentary:
Various Police forces have agreed with the HSE that the "Force" will be empowered, but not obliged, to enforce The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009).
So, does it fall to VoSA ?
Well i tend to fill all my machines full with fuel plus i carry 3 5 litre fuel cans and one 5 litre combi can enough for one day i presume there are exceptions for business who use reasonable quantities for maintenance work ?
I carry 2x10 litre jerry cans of two stroke (chainsaws, hedge trimmers, blower, etc.), 1x20 litre jerry can of straight petrol (stump grinder, compactor plate, etc.), 1x20 litre can of red diesel (digger, tractor, chipper) and 1x10 litre can of white diesel (in case the truck ever runs out of fuel). We normally operate as a 3 man team and carry out a lot of fuel intensive jobs such as tree work, hedge trimming, stump grinding, digger work, etc. Therefore it is unrealistic to expect only 15 litres of fuel to be enough, if I was to stick by that I would be going to the petrol station EVERY morning to fill up!
i carry 10 l of diesel, a 5 of petrol and a 5 of 2 stroke mix petrol - i could do without the diesel, but it does come in handy...
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