The loading and unloading of tank trucks, containers, mixers etc containing flammable or combustible products has long been recognized as one of the most serious fire and explosion risks for hazardous industry operations.
A study conducted by the American Petroleum Institute in 1967, for example, identified static discharges as being responsible for more than 60 incidents in tank truck loading operations, Mixing Operations, Drum Filling etc.
Since then more stringent preventive standards have been developed and significant advancements have been made in the technology of static electric discharge prevention. Yet accidents traced to static electric discharges still occur, with sometimes tragic results.
The natural presence of static electricity during product transfer operations, combined with its associated ignition hazards, ensure that regulators take static control precautions for tank trucks very seriously. The primary guidelines are detailed in two primary standards: NFPA 77, API RP 2003