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Fuel Handling for Farm Vehicles

Gasoline and diesel are used every day on farms, and they are hazardous if handled carelessly. This article covers the general ideas, and the details must come from official sources and your manuals.

Why is fuel handling a safety issue?

Fuel can burn or explode, produce harmful vapors and cause injury if spilled or swallowed. Static, sparks and hot surfaces can start fires, and fuel can contaminate soil and water.

Daily familiarity can lead to shortcuts, so a routine matters.

Static electricity can ignite fuel vapors, and some containers or practices make this more likely. The details differ by fuel and setup, so rely on the guidance from NFPA, OSHA and your fire marshal rather than on habit.

• Fire and explosion from vapors
• Harmful vapors in closed spaces
• Skin and eye irritation
• Soil and water contamination

What are the general rules of safe refueling?

Follow the manual for each machine. In general terms, shut down the engine and let hot parts cool before refueling, keep ignition sources away, and do not smoke near fuel. Avoid overfilling and clean up spills promptly.

Do not refuel in a closed space or near open flames. Do not store fuel in unsuitable containers.

Never refuel a hot machine, or one with the engine running, unless the manual says it is acceptable. Keep other people and vehicles away from the area while fuel is being transferred.

• Follow the manual for each machine
• Keep ignition sources and smoking away
• Avoid overfilling and clean up spills
• Use only containers made for fuel

How should fuel be stored?

Storage rules depend on the type, amount and location, and they are set by regulations that vary by state and county. I am not stating any quantity or distance here.

Check with your local fire marshal, state agriculture department, EPA and your insurance adviser. NFPA and OSHA offer official guidance.

Label tanks and containers clearly and keep them in good condition. Rusted, cracked or leaking tanks should be repaired or replaced by a qualified person. Ask your fuel supplier about inspection programs, without relying on any single vendor.

How do I keep children away?

Store fuel where children and visitors cannot reach it, with containers clearly labeled. Teach children that fuel is not a toy and never to touch it. Keep fuel away from the play area and the house.

Do not let youth refuel machines unless the law, the manufacturer and your own judgment all agree it is appropriate. Check labor rules with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Locks and fencing around storage tanks can prevent tampering and theft, and keep curious children away. Check the rules on signage and containment with your local officials.

• Store fuel out of children's reach
• Label containers clearly
• Keep fuel away from play areas

What about spills and leaks?

Stop the source if it is safe, keep people away, and avoid ignition sources. Follow the guidance in the safety data sheet and from official agencies for cleanup and disposal. Large spills may need to be reported, so ask the proper agency.

Never wash fuel into drains or ditches.

Keep absorbent materials and cleanup supplies where you store fuel, as official guidance recommends. Dispose of used materials as the proper agency directs, and never burn them.

• Keep people away from the spill
• Avoid anything that can spark
• Follow safety data sheet guidance
• Ask the proper agency about reporting

What if there is a fire or exposure?

If a fire starts, get away and call 911. If someone swallows fuel or breathes a lot of vapor, call 911 or the poison control hotline right away and follow the instructions you are given. Do not try to treat it yourself.

Official first aid and emergency guidance comes from the Red Cross and the poison control service.

• Call 911 for a fire or serious exposure
• Poison control for swallowed fuel or vapors
• Move to fresh air if it is safe to do so
• Follow official guidance, not home remedies

How can I build safer fueling habits?

Pick a dedicated fueling area on firm, level ground away from buildings and drains. Keep an extinguisher nearby and train everyone who refuels.

Inspect tanks, hoses and containers regularly, and replace any that are damaged or leaking.

Review your fuel setup once a year with your fire department or insurance safety adviser. They may spot issues, such as poor ventilation or the wrong location, that are easy to miss when you see them every day.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.