Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

305. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there are regular health and safety checks carried out at petrol stations here; the person responsible for carrying out these checks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22149/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), which comes under the remit of my Department, conducts routine inspections of petrol stations storing "petroleum spirits" under the Dangerous Substances Act 1972 and the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations 1979 as amended, and also under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated Regulations. I have been informed that a total of 114 inspections of petrol stations were carried out in 2012 and that these were mainly focussed on a number of key areas as follows: Compliance with licencing requirements; Effective "wetstock" inventory management; Storage tank inspection, testing and maintenance; Staff training; and Management Control systems.

The inspection of Retail and Private Petroleum Stores, specifically in relation to their operation, delivery and dispensing of petrol, is included as part of the HSA's 2013 Programme of Work. The inspection of petrol stations is carried out by a team of specialist inspectors from within the "ADR" Compliance unit of the HSA, who also enforce Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road legislation. These inspectors have received specialist training in relation to management of risks and enforcement of relevant legislation at petrol stations, generally supplied by the UK Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration (APEA) who run such courses for a range of stakeholders in the UK, including regulators, designers, local authority fire services, and petrol station operators etc. A specialist bespoke training course in LPG installations at Forecourts was held in the HSA and attended by ADR inspectors in 2012. ADR inspectors also attended a seminar last year organised by the Irish branch of the APEA, at which a range of Irish stakeholders, including Fire Officers, operators of petrol stations, etc., attended.

As part of its on-going maintenance of technical expertise in this area, the HSA maintains a corporate membership of the APEA, which includes a supply of regular information bulletins and technical information relating to petroleum storage. If the Deputy has any concerns regarding a particular station, or allegations of breaches of any of the workplace health and safety regulatory requirements by a station owner, he could bring them to the attention of the Health and Safety Authority through its Workplace Contact Unit in the first place (see , email or Locall 1890 289 389) who will advise on appropriate follow-up action.