Try and Explain, or Mind my Own Business?

[arjay]

I just don't think it's that hard to set the can on the ground and pick it back up.And I have chronic sciatica lol

 

[yaktamer]

You could tell him and then politely say if he doesn't appreciate your advice that you will be standing across the parking lot with the camera waiting to make the training video for the local fire department.

Or, just walk over to the emergency kill switch for the pumps and press it. When the employee comes out to ask why you did it, just introduce him to the guy and say, "He asked me to."

 

[DeathGrip]

I'm 53 and never saw one happen.

As far back as I can remember my dad removed the can from the truck to fill it. I think he didn't want to spill anything in his truck though. I'll have to ask him. He still drives it since new in '66.

This was before plastic cans and bed liners.

If you don't ground an aircraft you're taking a big chance and will probably lose your job or rank. I've hot fueled choppers in the service and worked at Ft. Lauderdale International for a private aircraft co.

 

[Foodfuzz]

You might as well MYOB. He wouldn't appreciate any advice you might mention. You could have some Olympic type cards from 0 to 10 with you and when he torches off you could score him as far as flame height and explosiveness.

 

[Derosa]

Don't mind your own business. Speak up. It is your and everyone else's safety that is near that man. This person is a ticking time bomb. Imagine what would happen if the next time he came in, and you were not there, he did the same process and poof - static - the cans went up like a Roman candle? And an innocent bystander went up as well? Injury by fire is hideous. I have been burned (as a child) on the entire right arm from a gasoline fire and bear the scars and fears. There is no other smell like burning flesh. Tell him. How would you feel if you did not and a fire happened?

 

[oberon]

I'll bet if you go to youtube and search 'gas station fire', you'll see alot of unintended immolation.

 

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

All I can say is that I've never heard of it happening here in Hawaii with all the boaters we have filling gas in the back of their pick up.

I used to do it, but, the tanks were netal and in the metal bed of my pick up.

 

[oldRoger]

There are signs all over in this area advising you to only fill portable containers out of the vehicle and on the ground, or in some case not to fill without the attendant present.

I would ask if he would mind waiting until I left, since I have managed to stay (mostly) in one piece for 79 years and am hoping for a couple of more.

 

[redlevel]

This is what Chevron says in the above link:

"Only 24 fires and 5 injuries during the past few years have been reported due to improper fueling of portable cans. When you consider that millions of gasoline cans are filled at pumps every year, these figures don't make it seem like much of a problem -- unless it happens to you."

Sounds like less of a risk than, say, shark attack.

Yep. If you are worried about what is almost a statistical non-event, you should probably make sure you have a .500 S&W handgun on the seat to take care of the bear that might come charging from behind the station.

 

[carpriver]

I am barred from a gas station because a guy was smoking and filling his truck, I stopped filling my truck and walked over to the emergency stop button and pushed it. The manager was pissed and called the cops, The cop asked why I did it I said there was a guy smoking and pumping gas I thought it was an emergency. The cop agreed . the manger banded me for life.

 

[4011]

Know a guy that filled his plastic can. Secured it in the left front corner. Headed home. Passerby flagged him down and asked hey guy you know your truck bed is on fire? Plastic can plastic liner friction. all the stars were aligned and that equaled a fire!

 

[tops]

The Chevron info mentions the bed liner stops the can from grounding. As I mentiomed in my post a metal can will ground through the bed if you don't have a bed liner. Why bother setting the can on the ground? Larry

 

[Mickey D]

I'm not in the MYOB crowd when it comes to safety. A safety mindset is our responsibility, period. Share it.

If someone tells you to take a hike, at least you did your part.

 

[tops]

Know a guy that filled his plastic can. Secured it in the left front corner. Headed home. Passerby flagged him down and asked hey guy you know your truck bed is on fire? Plastic can plastic liner friction. all the stars were aligned and that equaled a fire!

Sounds to me like an urban myth. If a can of gas in the bed of a truck catches fire you won't need someone to tell you your truck is on fire. Larry

 

[G-Mac]

Been fillin' 'em up like that for 50 years. Ain't been blowed up yet.

I've been welding since I was a teenager. Will be 54 next week. Have always known that it was possible for liquid acetone to make its way out of an acetylene cylinder and come dripping right out of the torch tip. This creates an extremely dangerous situation.

I've NEVER seen it happen....until just this past week.

Because somebody has been "lucky" for 50 years is no excuse for doing it in an unsafe manner...especially when you know better.

Just sayin'....

 

[timn8er]

This is what Chevron says in the above link:

"Only 24 fires and 5 injuries during the past few years have been reported due to improper fueling of portable cans. When you consider that millions of gasoline cans are filled at pumps every year, these figures don't make it seem like much of a problem -- unless it happens to you."

Sounds like less of a risk than, say, shark attack.

I think the most important part of that statement is being overlooked:" unless it happens to you." I can't understand the attitude of taking an unnecessary risk, endangering yourself & others around you. Bear attacks, or, yes, shall we say, shark attacks, are situations that I would have little control over IF I PUT MYSELF IN A POSITION TO BE VULNERABLE TO EITHER RISK! Being burnt to a crisp by refilling a gas can improperly is a risk I'm unwilling to take, & I'm also unwilling for others around me to take with MY life.

 

[poordevil]

I was at the gas station yesterday, and while I was filling up I watched a gent 10-15 years my senior drop his pickup tailgate, slide three gas cans to the back and begin filling the cans on the tailgate (the truck was equipped with a bedliner).

In the past, I have seen some ladies of various ages do the same or similar. I have usually taken a moment to explain the importance of setting the can on the ground (to avoid a static discharge spark), and offered to help with the heavy cans.

This guy, however, gave off the distinct air that if I tried to tell him anything, I would get the "...been fillin' my cans like this for 45 years..." speech - or worse.

Since, while filling cans in this manner there is a distinct chance of blowing your face off, what do you think - should I try to warn folks of this danger, or just bite my lip and mind my own business?

If it were true that he had been doing for 45 years, for example, the distinct chance of blowing up, is not that really so distinct after all. MYOB

 

[tlay]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news to some of you. You will not be grounded in a metal pickup truck. Remember the tires are rubber! Makes a good insulator!! Some of you still don't get it. Why risk the fire if you follow all of the safety procedures. It is the same as pointing your weapon at others, yea we ALL know it's unloaded but one time it will not be. Just follow common sense.

 

[sinewsworn]

You should tell them.

Problem is, if you do not tell them, then others around them (including you) can be blown-up or at best get scorched!
Another issue is costs. Anytime these things happens it costs us all! Insurance increases (those guys ALWAYS get their money) fees for this and that cost the rest of us.

 

[carpriver]

For you guys with military or police, fire or EMT training most of us were trained not to take unnecessary risks. My service time taught we so much, I don't put my life on the line because someone wants to take a risk. There is no coming back from dead.