Associations join together to establish revised Safe Loading Pass Scheme for fuel

The UK Petroleum Industry Association with support and scheme management from the Tank Storage Association is pleased to announce that they have signed an agreement with the Freight Transport Association to launch a revised Safe Loading Pass Scheme (SLPS). The Scheme provides a means to control the risks associated with loading road tankers at fuel distribution terminals.

Peter Davidson, UKPIA – Director Safety, Commercial & Projects said:
"The existing Safe Loading Pass Scheme has been a great success, and is a credit to all those involved. UKPIA however welcomes the opportunity to refresh the scheme, ensuring it reflects the changes to the industry and is adopted more widely by downstream oil distribution terminals."

The SLPS was first established in the late 1980’s by the major oil companies operating in the UK. It is an integral part of a petroleum terminal’s safety management system and aims to identify vehicles and trailers that have been inspected by qualified persons and deemed to meet specified safety standards for admittance to fuel loading terminals participating in the Scheme.

FTA Director of Standards, Audit and Accreditation, Sally Thornley, commented:
‘FTA is looking forward to helping to deliver a scheme that plays such an important part in maintaining safety standards. A new website and database, together with revised standards and assessments for Inspection Locations will ensure the scheme continues to grow and develop."

Since the original scheme was established, the industry has significantly changed with the majority of oil companies now contracting out their fuel distribution to specialist hauliers, and several specialist tank storage companies now also operating fuel distribution terminals.

Barrie Salmon, Technical Manager – Tank Storage Association added:
"We are pleased that the SLPS now encompasses the activities of the independent terminals. This means that our members can be assured that the road tanker entering their terminals meet the stringent safety standards required by the SLPS."

The existing scheme needed to be reviewed and updated to take account of these changes. The SLPS builds on the previous scheme and is extended to cover all participating UK fuel distribution terminals.

The associations look forward to launching the new scheme in the autumn and cementing the industry’s commitment to enhance process safety.