Broken petrol pump mechanism

System

As is people making absurd claims. They go hand in hand

Crabman

pacific4130 wrote: »

Cost of the spill?!?! 500ml of petrol is what... 75p? And as for ensuring that the same doesn't happen... Well, I'm pretty sure an 'out of order' sign will deal with that very tricky problem.

Why shouldn't a profit making entity have to pay for loss and damage caused through the failure of their equipment? They may well have a right to claim against the supplier of the equipment and/or the company that maintains the equipment.

They are liable for such losses and I fail to understand why you feel the consumer should foot the bill for the retailer's failure.

closed

Because the consumer (assuming this is a true story), kept their hand on the tap that lets the fuel out, instead of paying attention to what was going on under their nose.

colino

One of the reasons, catering for the lowest common denominator, that you wont see trigger locks in petrol stations anymore and we all have to grimly hang on to the dispensor as we stuff our expensive juice into our vehicles.

Crabman

closed wrote: »

Because the consumer (assuming this is a true story), kept their hand on the tap that lets the fuel out, instead of paying attention to what was going on under their nose.

That's one reason we have health and safety laws. Individuals react differently in any given situation. Where a highly flammable liquid is being splashed out of the filler cap unexpectedly, some people will think calmly and logically, others will instead scream/panic. That's why we have safety mechanisms and laws to protect those who don't necessarily make the right decision(s) under pressure.

closed

This scenario would make a good Python sketch

The safety mechanism is to let go of the trigger, to turn off the tap and maybe take a step back, which for all humans I've ever met, is instinctive if not commonsense. If you fill the sink up, and it overflows, would you stand there frozen with your hand on the tap not knowing what to do?

Noone employed by Shell was squeezing the trigger so it's hardly their fault.

mgdavid

Crabman wrote: »

That's one reason we have health and safety laws. Individuals react differently in any given situation. Where a highly flammable liquid is being splashed out of the filler cap unexpectedly, some people will think calmly and logically, others will instead scream/panic. That's why we have safety mechanisms and laws to protect those who don't necessarily make the right decision(s) under pressure.

it was hardly unexpected, as they were filling the tank <doh>

OP how on earth do you think people managed before there were such things as cut-off valves on petrol pumps?

Crabman

closed wrote: »

The safety mechanism is to let go of the trigger, to turn off the tap and maybe take a step back, which for all humans I've ever met, is instinctive if not commonsense. If you fill the sink up, and it overflows, would you stand there frozen with your hand on the tap not knowing what to do?

Noone employed by Shell was squeezing the trigger so it's hardly their fault.

Shell (like all UK fuel retailers) had a safety mechanism installed which met the relevant laws that apply to petrol stations. It was therefore entirely reasonable for the consumer to rely on such safety mechanism being in good working order.

By the way, where did the OP say they stood there frozen with their hand still squeezing the trigger?

mgdavid wrote: »

it was hardly unexpected, as they were filling the tank <doh>

OP how on earth do you think people managed before there were such things as cut-off valves on petrol pumps?

You're deluded if you genuinely believe that the majority of consumers who fill their vehicles with fuel put it in at a trickle, just in case the safety cut-off fails. If it was a safety hazard to dispense fuel at a high rate the pumps would have a restriction to ensure the safety of the public.

In a nutshell, Shell's safety cut-off failed. These things happen. However, Shell are liable for the loss/damage caused including the lost fuel. There is no reasonable basis for dispute.

closed

you suggested the safety mechanism and health and safety laws are there to protect people who panic and are unable to understand that the reason petrol is gushing all over the place is because they are squeezing the trigger with their mind/eyes/nose/ears elsewhere.

It is not entirely reasonable to rely on the overfill cut out, and blindly pull on the dead mans handle until petrol gushes all over the place, and then expect Shell to cough up for the mistake. If the op let go of the handle and fuel continued to come out that would be a different matter.

cubegame

OP, if you can't react quick enough to stop the petrol flow at the very instant the tank is full should you even be driving?