Narrative:

There was a large fuel spill. Between the xx and yy gates; originating from an underground fuel hydrant. The fuel erupted from the hydrant and proceeded to flood the immediate gate area as well as covering approximately two gates down (flowing westward). The local airport fire authority was contacted and responded as well as the airport operations.on going to work for my shift I immediately smelt the jet-a fumes as soon as the shuttle transport van dropped me off at the zz gate. Within seconds of entering the terminal I began to get a headache as well as taste a metallic taste in my mouth from the fumes. I was very disconcerted by this as I knew that I still had an entire shift ahead of me in this very unsafe condition. On speaking to my associates I learned that they sat though these events in an office that was saturated in the heavy smell of jet-a. They were give masks as an option to wear that are not osha approved for working in gas fumed environments (the masks were more or less cheap painters masks). There were complaints from fellow employees of headaches; nausea; dizziness; foul tastes in their mouths and dis-ease in general.to my knowledge the only evacuation given was by order of the on-site fire chief for ramp side personnel but not to those in the building. There was no back-up location to go to to escape this unsafe and hazardous condition; if there is one available then it was not utilized. On leaving the airport at the end of my shift I had to remove my work clothes as they reeked of fuel and had to take a shower as my exposed skin and hair smelled of fuel as well. As I write this I still have a stinging in my nose and feel stuffy in my head and sinuses. I worry for my health considering that I was breathing carcinogenic fumes for 9 hours.I do not feel that [company] adhered in any way; shape or form to its own values that it touts at every chance that it gets to. I accept that incidents happen but it is how we deal with them and treat our employees when they occur that shows our worth. I feel less safe; and significantly less confident in the local management's abilities to look after my safety and well being while I am at work.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Flight crew reported a fuel spill caused headaches and other symptoms due to the fuel fumes emanated.

Narrative: There was a large fuel spill. Between the XX and YY gates; originating from an underground fuel hydrant. The fuel erupted from the hydrant and proceeded to flood the immediate gate area as well as covering approximately two gates down (flowing westward). The local airport fire authority was contacted and responded as well as the Airport Operations.On going to work for my shift I immediately smelt the Jet-A fumes as soon as the shuttle transport van dropped me off at the ZZ gate. Within seconds of entering the terminal I began to get a headache as well as taste a metallic taste in my mouth from the fumes. I was very disconcerted by this as I knew that I still had an entire shift ahead of me in this very unsafe condition. On speaking to my associates I learned that they sat though these events in an office that was saturated in the heavy smell of Jet-A. They were give masks as an option to wear that are not OSHA approved for working in gas fumed environments (the masks were more or less cheap painters masks). There were complaints from fellow employees of headaches; nausea; dizziness; foul tastes in their mouths and dis-ease in general.To my knowledge the only evacuation given was by order of the on-site fire chief for ramp side personnel but not to those in the building. There was no back-up location to go to to escape this unsafe and hazardous condition; if there is one available then it was not utilized. On leaving the airport at the end of my shift I had to remove my work clothes as they reeked of fuel and had to take a shower as my exposed skin and hair smelled of fuel as well. As I write this I still have a stinging in my nose and feel stuffy in my head and sinuses. I worry for my health considering that I was breathing carcinogenic fumes for 9 hours.I do not feel that [Company] adhered in any way; shape or form to its own values that it touts at every chance that it gets to. I accept that incidents happen but it is how we deal with them and treat our employees when they occur that shows our worth. I feel less safe; and significantly less confident in the local management's abilities to look after my safety and well being while I am at work.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.