VJ Distributors Fined $4,000 For Unsafe Storage

MEDIA RELEASE
March 16, 2007

VJ Distributors Fined $4,000 For Unsafe Storage of Avgas

VJ Distributors was fined $4,000 yesterday for the improper storage of Avgas, following a fire that destroyed a VJ Distributors depot at Omahu Road, Hastings, in March last year.

In total, 19 fire appliances and some 3,500 litres of foam were involved in containing the fire.
The New Zealand fire service subsequently investigated the fire, however it was unable to conclusively determine its cause.

“There are some requirements that need to be met when handling hazardous substances such as Avgas. These requirements were not met,” said Napier Service Manager Murray Thomson.

“We hope this sentence will remind employers of the dangers involved in handling Avgas and other such substances without appropriate care. In this particular case, it was very lucky that no one got hurt.”

VJ Distributors failed to meet a number of requirements relating to the safe storage of Avgas, a high octane fuel used for aircraft.

For example, regulations 32 and 33 of the Dangerous Goods Regulations require that Avgas be stored in a depot constructed of brick, concrete block or reinforced concrete, and a roof of reinforced concrete or equivalent approved construction.

In this case, the floor of the building and western wall were made of concrete, however the remaining wall panels were made of materials containing asbestos.

No artificial light or other fittings or equipment that could be a source of ignition should be installed inside the depot. Here, a fuse box was located within five metres of the fuel decanting area where the Avgas was stored

VJ Distributors was sentenced for a breach of Section 16 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act, for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure that the Avgas did not harm people in the vicinity of the place where it was handled.

The sentencing took place yesterday at Hastings District Court.

ENDS.

© Scoop Media