South Africa Highlights Fuel Dispensing Responsibilities

Peter Morgan, CEO of the Fuel retailers Association says "It is the contractual obligation of the motorist to specify the product that he/she requires. The service station owner in no manner or form will be liable,".  However, he says that service stations do have a responsibility to employ qualified forecourt attendants and that "signage must be erected advising motorists of their responsibility".

An estimated 1.6 million fuel transactions occur on South African forecourts each day, says Engen spokeswoman Tania Landsberg.  The introduction of multi-hose pumps — which enable motorists to pull into any bay and get the fuel they require — increases the risk of a mix-up, says Landsberg.  She says it is crucial the customer asks for the correct grade of fuel up front as many families own more than one car and these vehicles may take different grades of fuel.

The South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia) says that motorists must take responsibility for ensuring the correct fuel is pumped into their vehicle tanks.  "All pumps are clearly labelled with standard government legislated labels to make it clear for the driver to identify the products clearly," says Anton Moldan, Sapia’s environmental advisor.

PetrolWorld 270109   Source: Roderick Macleod ZA Times