⎪ Fuels Industry Imbizo 2026 ⎪
bpSA: Improving safety in SA’s fuel industry Co-operation with partners and regulators will improve safety in SA’s fuels industry, says Liesl Esau, HSE&C Senior Manager at bp Southern Africa (bpSA), a Silver
Sponsor of the Fuel Industry Imbizo 2026. S outh Africa has world-class safety and environmental legislation, but workable solutions are needed to apply it to complex businesses such as fuel import, transport and supply. Moving fuel from port to pump, whether by pipeline or truck, requires the greatest attention to safety and the environment. Accidents involving the transport and han- dling of petrol and diesel can cause fatalities and costly property damage. The product, the equipment, the processing and the people handling it must all follow very strict proce- dures and aim to exceed minimum regulatory requirements. The main acts in South Africa that gov- ern safety standards for handling fuel are the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its Regulations, overseen by the Department of Employment and Labour; and the National Environmental Management Act, overseen by the Department of Forestry,
Fisheries and the Environment. All this legis- lation covers safety, health, the environment and sustainability. There are also relevant industry standards. For fuel retailers and franchisees, comply- ing with regulations entails selecting partners with the right mindset and preparing them to operate the fuel stations with an adequate understanding of the potential risks and the correct way to manage them. Training and information-sharing ensure compliance and encourage franchisees to learn how to apply regulations to a fuel station and to seek as- sistance and share any concerns. A similar approach is needed for the out- sourced companies that transport fuel. They should be able to demonstrate that their man- agement systems will ensure safe operations. But safety goes beyond systems. Contractors need to demonstrate that every driver or technician understands what is ex- pected of them and operates safely.
Liesl Esau, HSE&C Senior Manager at bp Southern Africa (bpSA).
“We at bpSA invest significant resources to ensure that our stakeholders – whether contractors, franchisees, or staff – comply with all safety regulations. While South Africa can be proud of its world-class legis- lation on safety and the environment, more robust and uniform enforcement would help to raise compliance across the industry,” Liesl Esau concludes. bpSA is a Silver Sponsor of the Fuel Industry Imbizo 2026, taking place from 10- 11 June at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. https://www.bp.com/en_za/
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May-June 2026 • MechChem Africa ¦ 9
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