Razs Oil Ghana Limited

Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE)

The downstream petroleum sector encompasses various supply chains of activity. Given the inherent risks associated with handling flammable and hazardous substances, Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) practices are critical to ensuring the safety of personnel, assets, the environment, and the general public. We are therefore aligned with international standards such as ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) in operating procedures for the discharge of petroleum products to prevent accidents.

Volatility is the tendency of a substance to evaporate quickly, influenced by temperature and pressure. In petroleum, it affects fuel performance, storage, and safety. Proper management is essential for efficiency and risk control.
Petroleum products easily evaporate in our very hot environment.

Explosive mixtures are combinations of flammable gases, vapors, or dust with air in specific concentrations that can ignite and cause explosions. In petroleum, proper ventilation, leak prevention, and controlled handling are crucial to minimize risks

Electrostatic charges occur when friction between liquids or surfaces generates static electricity, which can ignite flammable vapors in petroleum handling. Proper grounding, bonding, and slow fuel transfer help prevent static discharge and fire hazards.

Petroleum products easily build-up electrostatic charge when pumped or transferred from one container to another, examples include:

Dispensing product into certain plastic containers;

Discharging fuel from tanker into underground tanks and;

Pumping of fuel from underground tanks into tankers.

Opposite electrical charges build-up between the products and the containers. When these charges become excessive, the introduction of an electrically conductive material can cause an electrical spark between the product and the container which can start a fire.

Prolonged exposure to petroleum products can have serious health implications. To ensure safety, the following precautions must be strictly observed:

Health Risks and Precautions

Harmful if Swallowed: Petroleum products must never be ingested, as they can be aspirated into the lungs, leading to respiratory tract irritation.

Proper Ventilation: Always handle petroleum products in a well-ventilated area to minimize exposure to harmful vapors.

Avoid Inhalation of Vapors: Breathing in petroleum vapors may cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and even unconsciousness.

No Siphoning by Mouth: Never attempt to siphon petroleum products by mouth, as this poses serious health risks.

Maintain Good Hygiene: Forecourt staff must wash their hands with soap before meals to prevent ingestion of harmful substances.

Do Not Induce Vomiting: If petroleum is accidentally swallowed, do not induce vomiting, as this can worsen internal exposure.

Eye Protection: Avoid direct contact with the eyes to prevent irritation or serious injury.

Minimize Skin Contact: Prolonged skin contact with petroleum products should be avoided to prevent irritation and potential absorption of harmful chemicals.

Change Contaminated Clothing: Immediately remove clothes soaked with petroleum products to prevent skin exposure and reduce fire hazards.

Fire and Explosion Hazards

Fire Risk: Petroleum products are highly flammable. Keep away from open flames, sparks, and excessive heat sources.

Explosion Risk: Handle with care to prevent physical injuries caused by explosions due to improper storage or handling.

It must be noted that it is important to seek medical attention after any first aid treatment. Some immediate first aid measures to be taken include:

Eye Contact: Flush with fresh, clean water for at least ten minutes.

Skin Contact: Remove soaked clothing and flush the affected areas with fresh, clean water.

Inhalation of Fumes or Vapors: Move the person to an area with fresh air. If the person is not breathing, perform artificial respiration while calling for an ambulance.

Unconscious Person: Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

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