Fueling your semi-truck is part of being a truck driver, but it can be dangerous. Diesel fuel is a hazardous, combustible material and can leak or spill during fueling. Improper refueling can even cause burns, fires or explosions. But if you follow these tips, you can protect yourself at the pump.

Fueling Best Practices

• Turn off the engine: Turn your truck off and chock the wheels while refueling.
• Stand by the tank: Stand near the fuel pump when fueling, so you can act quickly if something goes wrong. Don’t walk away from the truck while fueling.
• Don’t smoke: Don’t ever smoke while refueling. Don’t refuel if others are smoking or near any open flames.
• Don’t overfill your tank: Don’t top off the fuel tank. A good rule of thumb is to fill your tank 95% full. On hot days, allow extra room in the tank for the fuel to expand.
• Don’t re-enter your truck: Don’t get back in your truck while you’re fueling, especially if it’s cool and dry outside, because there is a potential for static electricity to build up, which can cause a fire or explosion.
• Know where to find a fire extinguisher: Make sure there is a fire extinguisher near you before you start fueling and know how to use it.

In Case of Emergency while Fueling Your Semi-Truck

If there’s a fire or spark while you’re fueling your semi, leave the nozzle in the truck and quickly get as far away as possible. Get the truck stop attendant to shut down the pump by using the emergency intercom at the station or the emergency shutdown button to stop the flow of fuel.

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