You need to be very careful to protect yourself, others, and the environment while you are using or pouring petrol. Make sure to:

• keep away from fire or anything that’s burning. Never smoke or use a lighter or any naked flame anywhere near petrol or where petrol has been poured. Petrol fumes can build up in enclosed spaces (like your shed) if it’s not stored safely, it has spilled, or you have been filling vehicles. These fumes can easily catch fire and cause an explosion.
• keep away from electrical equipment such as power tools and cell phones. These can cause sparks, which can make petrol fumes catch fire and cause an explosion. 
• pour petrol outside, not inside a shed or garage. This will stop you breathing in petrol fumes, which can make you dizzy and even make you pass out. Pouring inside can let petrol fumes build up, and this can make it more likely there will be an explosion.
• if you splash your clothes with petrol, change them immediately. Leave the clothes that have been splashed outside in the open air (not inside your house or garage) to allow the petrol to evaporate, then wash the clothing separately to other laundry. Keep children away from the clothes until they are clean.
• clean up spills immediately. If you use rags to clean up the spill, leave them outside in the open air to allow the petrol to evaporate, then wash them separately to other laundry. Keep children away from the rags until they are clean.
• never use petrol to start or ‘help’ a fire. Petrol is too dangerous to be used like this. Use an alternative product that is intended for this purpose.
• use petrol as a fuel, not a cleaner. Petrol catches fire easily, and its fumes are dangerous. Use turpentine (turps) or another solvent if you need to clean car parts or do other jobs like that.
• never pour petrol or liquids contaminated with petrol down the drain. Contact your local council to seek advice on how to dispose of it safely.
• keep the container on a solid surface when pouring petrol. When filling petrol containers at a service station, place the container on the ground and keep the petrol pump nozzle in constant contact with the container. It is important not to spill petrol, because it will evaporate quickly and fill the air with petrol fumes, which can catch fire easily.
• never siphon petrol by mouth under any circumstances. If petrol gets into your lungs or stomach, it can be fatal.
• wear gloves when filling fuel tanks or garden machinery. It is easy to spill when you’re filling something like a lawnmower, water blaster or edge trimmer, so protect your skin by wearing gloves.

Petrol and its fumes catch fire very easily, and can cause explosions. You can reduce the risk by making sure to:

• only store petrol in approved petrol containers. Approved containers have undergone a range of tests to make sure they won’t leak or explode, and are hard for children to get into.
• keep petrol where children cannot get it. The best place is in a high, locked or child-safe cupboard, in a shed that is kept locked.
• make sure your petrol container has the correct lid and it is always tightly fastened.
• leave a gap at the top of petrol containers. When petrol gets warm some of the liquid will turn into vapour and this will make the container expand.  If the container is too full it could burst.
• keep petrol in a safe, cool and shaded place. Never leave petrol containers in direct sunlight or in the boot of a car.
• keep petrol in a shed or garage. Never store fuel containers inside your home. Petrol is highly flammable so it’s safer to store it in a shed or garage that is not attached to your house.
• store only what you need.
• never smoke near where petrol is stored.

We have a brochure that explains the rules for storing petrol:

Learn more about approved containers for fuel (pdf 2.1MB)

Storing large quantities of petrol

If you have more than 50 litres of petrol stored at your property, you need to get a HSNO Certificate that certifies that the petrol is being stored safely. HSNO certificates are issued by a compliance certifier. They will visit you and issue the certificate after confirming your property meets all of the legal requirements for storing more 50 litres of petrol.  The compliance certifier will also send a copy of the certificate to us at the EPA for our records. 

See a list of compliance certifiers on the WorkSafe website

Or, contact our team on hscompliance@govt.nz and we will help you find a compliance certifier.

Only store petrol in approved petrol containers. Approved containers have undergone a range of tests to make sure they won't leak or explode.

• Don’t overfill your petrol container - leave a bit of a gap at the top. When petrol gets warm some of the liquid will turn into vapour and this will make the container expand.  If the container is too full it could burst.
• Make sure your petrol container has the correct lid and it is always tightly fastened.
• Don’t leave petrol containers in direct sunlight or in the boot of a car.
• Store them in a cool place.
• Never store fuel containers inside your home. Because petrol is highly flammable, it’s safer to store it in a shed or garage that is not attached to your house.
• Don’t store large amounts of petrol if you don’t have to.
• When filling petrol containers at a service station, place the container on the ground and keep the petrol pump nozzle in constant contact with the container while filling.

Flammable signs

These symbols indicate that the contents of the container are flammable.

Health concerns

Products with this symbol can cause serious health issues if people are exposed to the product.

These products may:

• cause cancer
• affect fertility
• cause damage to an unborn child
• cause allergies, asthma or breathing difficulties when inhaled
• cause damage to internal organs such as the liver, kidneys and the  central nervous system.

Environmental concerns

Products with this symbol are toxic to the environment.