Tanker Truck Operators Must Exercise Special Care

Driving a tanker truck that carries gasoline and diesel fuel requires special training. The ignition of flammable and explosive mixtures of vapors and air can result if someone smokes too close to the tanker, or from a spark of static electricity due to improper grounding.

The safety rules for loading a tank trailer, found in the International Fire Code, and in the National Fire Protection Association Code, deal with subjects such as making sure static charges are not accumulated during product transfer, and making sure that explosive vapors are properly discharged so that they cannot accumulate to dangerous levels. Special care is required if a tank trailer is switch loaded, which includes a diesel load being followed by a load of gasoline. The rules provide for careful cleaning of tanks between such loads and making sure that vapors with low flashpoints are safely dissipated.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of the handling of flammable materials, please call one of our attorneys today.