Aliyu Abdulhameed Bello*, Bertha Toba Zibdam, Muhammad Daggash Lawan
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069 Maiduguri, Borno State
*Corresponding author’s Email: aliyub@uimaid.edu.ng, doi.org/10.55639/607.02010061
ABSTRACT
Petrol filling stations (PFS) present significant fire and explosion hazards, particularly during unloading and dispensing operations. Traditional risk assessment methods often fail to integrate multi-hazard factors dimensions into a single evaluative framework. Effective risk management requires robust tools for prioritising hazards and allocating resources, especially in data-scarce environments. This study applies the Composite Risk Index (CRI) to assess and rank risks associated with unloading and dispensing operations at PFS in Northern Nigeria. A hybrid methodology was employed, combining Hazard identification and risk scoring were conducted through site inspections, staff interviews, and historical data review. A risk score matrix with Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) weighting was employed to compute CRI for both unloading and dispensing operations. The analysis revealed that all stations presented a ‘medium’ risk level during unloading operations (CRI: 0.401-0.630), driven by leakage, containment failure, and ignition hazards. Dispensing operations were predominantly ‘low risk’ (CRI: 0.321-0.400), with behavioural issues being the main contributors. One station (PFS-E) was ranked the highest risk for both operations, indicating systemic safety failures. The CRI method demonstrates strong potential for supporting regulatory decision-making by simplifying complex risk data into actionable rankings. It enables regulators and operators to implement a tiered, risk-informed oversight strategy, prioritising interventions for the highest risk facilities and most vulnerable operational phases, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the downstream petroleum sector.
Keywords:
Hazard
Prioritisation,
Composite
Risk Index,
Risk Score
Matrix.