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COSHH Assessment — BP Unleaded Petrol (E10 — 95 RON)

Ref Revision Issue Date Next Review Assessor Approved By
COSHH_23 2 1 June 2026 1 June 2027 Sean Ashton Aaron Mason, Director

Key references

Open Safety Data Sheet (supplier website)

Download this COSHH as a Word document

Van-pack inclusion

This substance is carried in the field van packs. The Van Packs operative-facing site holds a synchronised copy.

1. Product identification
Product name BP Unleaded Petrol (E10 — 95 RON)
Supplier BP Oil UK Ltd (bulk) / Forecourt refuel
Active ingredients / CAS Hydrocarbons (C4–C12) + ethanol (≤10%) + additives. Contains benzene (< 1% v/v)
CAS: 86290-81-5 (gasoline) · 71-43-2 (benzene) · 64-17-5 (ethanol)
Physical form Liquid
Appearance / odour Clear liquid, characteristic petroleum odour
Use Fuel for petrol-powered tools (Stihl disc-cutters, breakers, water pumps)

2. Hazard classification

Overall classification: Extremely flammable. Carcinogen Cat 1A (contains benzene). Germ Cell Mutagenicity Cat 1B. Aspiration Cat 1. STOT SE 3. Reproductive Toxicity Cat 2. Aquatic Chronic 2.

Signal word: Danger

Hazard statements (H-codes)

Code Statement
H224 Extremely flammable liquid and vapour.
H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
H315 Causes skin irritation.
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
H340 May cause genetic defects.
H350 May cause cancer.
H361 Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Precautionary statements (key P-codes)

Code Statement
P201 Obtain special instructions before use.
P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
P240 Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
P243 Take precautionary measures against static discharge.
P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P301+310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTRE or doctor/physician.
P331 Do NOT induce vomiting.
P370+378 In case of fire: Use foam, dry powder or CO₂ to extinguish. Do not use water jet.
P403+235 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
P405 Store locked up.
P501 Dispose of contents/container to an authorised waste contractor in accordance with local regulations.

GHS pictograms

  • GHS02 — Flammable
  • GHS07 — Harmful / irritant
  • GHS08 — Health hazard (serious)
  • GHS09 — Environmental hazard

3. Persons at risk

  • Operatives using petrol-powered tools
  • Refuelling personnel
  • Anyone in vicinity of open containers

4. Routes of exposure

  • Inhalation: Vapour may cause dizziness, drowsiness, headache. Benzene is a known human carcinogen — any exposure is to be minimised.
  • Skin contact: Defats skin — repeated contact causes dermatitis. Benzene can be absorbed through skin.
  • Eye contact: Causes irritation
  • Ingestion: May be fatal if aspirated into lungs. Systemically toxic.

5. Workplace exposure limits (HSE EH40/2005)

Substance 8-hr TWA 15-min STEL
Petrol vapour (hydrocarbon) 900 mg/m³ (varies — see EH40) —
Benzene 1 ppm (3.25 mg/m³) —
Ethanol 1000 ppm (1920 mg/m³) —

6. Control measures — hierarchy of controls

Elimination / substitution: Evaluated where practicable — see Section 12.

Engineering controls:

  • Refuel outdoors or in open air only — never indoors or in confined space
  • Use bonded/earthed metal cans (or UN-approved plastic containers) — never glass or non-approved vessels
  • Keep container upright, tightly closed when not dispensing
  • Funnel or dispensing nozzle to minimise splashing
  • No open flames, hot surfaces or ignition sources within 3 m during refuelling

Administrative controls:

  • Refuel tools only when cold (allow 5 min cool-down after operation)
  • Carry max 20 L per van (regulatory limit) in approved containers
  • Never siphon petrol by mouth
  • No smoking, no mobile-phone use during refuelling
  • Engine off during refuelling
  • Immediate wash-off of any skin contamination

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

  • Nitrile gloves (replace if saturated)
  • Safety glasses
  • Antistatic footwear advisable

7. Storage
Temperature Below 30 °C (ideally below 20 °C)
Location Dedicated ventilated flammable-storage cabinet or external metal fuel store — segregated from the cab
Avoid Ignition sources, heat, direct sunlight, oxidisers, naked flames, static electricity
Container UN-approved 5–20 L metal can or HSE-approved plastic container only

8. Emergency procedures

First aid

Route Action
Eyes Rinse with water for 15 minutes. Seek medical advice.
Skin Remove contaminated clothing. Wash with soap and water. Seek medical advice if irritation persists.
Inhalation Move to fresh air immediately. If breathing difficulty or unconsciousness, call 999.
Ingestion DO NOT induce vomiting (aspiration risk). Rinse mouth. Seek immediate medical attention — call 999.

Spillage

Eliminate all ignition sources immediately. Evacuate non-essential personnel. Ventilate area. Absorb with sand or vermiculite (do not use combustible absorbents). Place in sealed metal container labelled 'Petrol-contaminated waste'. Do not release to drains.

Fire

Extremely flammable liquid. Use foam, dry powder, CO₂ or water spray (fine). Do not use water jet. Evacuate and call 999.

Emergency contacts

  • Emergency services: 999
  • NHS non-emergency: 111
  • AMWS supervisor: Jason May
  • HSQE support: Sean Ashton (Onyx Operations)

9. Waste disposal

Hazardous waste (EWC 13 07 02*). Dispose via authorised waste-fuel contractor. Contaminated absorbent is also hazardous.

10. Risk rating

Before controls With controls
High Moderate

Risk rating methodology: Severity × Likelihood = Risk (S × L = R). See POL_HSQE_21 — Risk Assessment for the full scoring matrix.

11. Training requirements

  • Safe refuelling procedure
  • Flammable-liquids awareness (DSEAR)
  • Fire extinguisher use
  • Spill response — benzene-carrying fuels
  • First-aid response for inhalation / aspiration

12. Monitoring and review

  • Weekly van-pack visual inspection — containers and labelling
  • Monthly check of storage-area ventilation and fire-extinguisher status
  • Annual COSHH review
  • Ongoing health surveillance for operatives with frequent exposure (per APP_08)

13. References

Assessment approved by: Aaron Mason, Director · 1 June 2026

This assessment must be reviewed annually or when circumstances change — whichever is sooner.