Benzene Exposure Protection Module

Top loading fuel into a tanker truck presents a real danger of benzene exposure to the operator. Whilst bottom loading is now the preferred practice, there are many facilities worldwide still utilising top loading.

Providing the means to allow drivers to load a top loading vehicle without standing on the truck barrel during the actual filling process, while still achieving safety interlocks and other operational standards, has considerable benefit to personnel and to the industry.

Exposure to benzene takes place when an operator monitors the top loading of road tankers whilst standing on top of the truck barrel. Part of this monitoring responsibility is to ensure there is no overflow of product from the compartment as a result of overfilling.

The operator must close a manual "deadman" valve to shut down the flow when the liquid level reaches the maximum
filling capacity of the compartment. The operator is also required to ensure the filling arm remains in the correct position during the loading procedure.