Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Under what regulations the use of mobile telephones on petrol stations forecourts is prohibited; and what is the published risk assessment to support such regulations. [HL4438]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)There are no specific regulations that ban the use of mobile phones on petrol station forecourts.
The Health and Safety Executive issued advice in August 2003, updated in March 2004, to petroleum enforcement officers on safety control measures where the dispensing of petroleum takes place. This notes that in general mobile phones are not designed or certified for use in explosive atmospheres, although the risk of incendive sparking from mobile equipment is low. It also notes that they can create a serious distraction for people getting petrol.
It recommends that customers or staff actually dispensing petrol should not use them; that they should not be used in designated hazardous areas when petrol deliveries are taking place; and they should not be used during other petrol handling activities or the maintenance of petrol equipment. It specifically does not recommend a total prohibition on use on petrol station forecourts.