Overflowing Petrol Pump

Ellie2758

Well, I had an eventful morning. On my way to Tesco, via the Gym, I called in at an Esso station for some petrol. Was happily stood there filling up the tank when WHOOOOSH, petrol everywhere. Went inside to ask the attendant for some paper towels as there were none on the forecourt - he didn t seem in the least bit bothered by my predicament. Wiped down car and the bit where the petrol goes in. Went back in, said to attendant "surely it should have a safety cut-off?" He smiled (!!) and replied that it was odd, and that one of the other pumps had done the same thing this morning. Do what????? Anyway, to be honest I was a bit shocked so off I drove to the Gym. It was while I was there that I realised that I had petrol on my trousers, socks and trainers. Luckily I had my "gym" trousers to change into but had to remain in the socks and trainers until after I finished at Tesco. Got home, feeling sick and headachy from the stench of petrol by now. Rang garage, got the same attendant who, when I said I wanted to make a complaint, told me that the manager had just left and that I would have to ring back tomorrow morning. Decided to ring Esso customer care. Got a very nice lady who asked if I had filled in an Incident Form. I replied that I hadnt been offered one and that the attendant hadnt seemed at all interested in what had happened. She was shocked and said that they should have given me a form to complete and that Gilbarco would need to go out and inspect the pumps. She offered to pay for dry cleaning but I replied that my clothes and my trainers and socks were currently in the washing machine. She said that she would call back today.

Meanwhile, I had to go to the dentist this afternoon so I dont know whether I have missed her call or what but there is no message on the ansafone The trainers still stink of petrol despite the washing, as do the socks and trousers. AS DOES MY WASHING MACHINE. I have put it on a boil wash with some soda crystals. Hope it does the trick. Meanwhile, every time I try to ring Esso customer services now I just get told their advisors are busy. I have also left a message with Trading Standards.

I'm not a happy bunny at all. The trainers were only new this summer. AND they were my favourite winter jogging bottoms and JJB Sports have stopped making them. AND they were a pair of my favourite trainer socks. FUME :mad: (literally). Oh, and I had to chuck the car mat in the garage as that stinks too.

superscaper

Never mind trading standards, I think the Health & Safety Executive would be interested to know there are pumps overflowing petrol and staff reluctant to put sand down etc. It's both a fire hazard and a driving hazard.

kuohu

I have to agree with the above poster. When I was reading this, my first thought was for health and safety and the smelly clothes were secondary.

It certainly sounds like staff training at the particular garage was distinctly lacking, but it is reassuring to read that the main Esso customer services took it seriously. I would definitely take them up on the offer of payment for dry cleaning, and even if the clothes need to be replaced then I suspect they may pay this too without a whimper. From the immediate offer of compensation from the outset, it sounds to me like they already have procedures in place for this kind of issue.

If there is an incident form that you can fill in, then if it was me I would have one posted (or emailed) to me from the main customer services and not waste time with the garage (who I think would be more keen on covering their backs). I'd fill it in to make sure the complaint was lodged.

It sounds like you have a busy life and may not have time for following it all up with Trading Standards or even the HSE. I think if it was me and I got a reassuring response from the main Esso customer services then I'd probably leave it at that, but if I got the impression that it was just brushed aside then I might be tempted to take it further.

I hope you keep us updated on what happens.

chrisw

I once spilt petrol on my trainers when it splashed back out the tank. It must have dissolved the glue as the soles fell off a couple of days later!

slobbery

I'm curious - who paid for the overflowed petrol - them or you. I would certainly have made a fuss about paying for a spill if it wasn't my fault.

Sooler

Some info here about some things the garage should have done regarding safety, appears they may have not done some of them


Dispensing petrol as a fuel: Health and safety guidance for employees
http://www.major-hazards.gov.uk/pubns/indg216.htm

Ellie2758

slobbery wrote:

I'm curious - who paid for the overflowed petrol - them or you. I would certainly have made a fuss about paying for a spill if it wasn't my fault.[/quote

Well, put it this way - it certainly crossed my mind that I shouldnt be paying for the spilt petrol but partly because I was so shocked by what happened and partly because the cashier didnt react in the way you would expect I just paid. Rest assured, I did mention this to Esso customer services (who, incidentally, havent yet rung me back). You know how it is when people dont say/do what you would expect them to? It sort of throws you doesnt it? Well, it does me.

The health and safety issue bothered me as well. I did think of the Health and Safety Executive but it was easier to find the phone number of Trading Standards and I assumed that TS would have some contact with the HSE and would pass the info on to them if necessary.

rockpeblar

Stopped at my local Tesco to fill up one evening last week. Went in to pay and the guy in front of me stank of petrol. Apparently he'd had a similar problem and there was petrol spilled all around by his car. He didn't seem to make too much of a fuss and I didn't see the attendant make much of an issue about it either!!