Silly Season Safety at the Servo: The 5 Biggest Risks Service Stations Face in December (and How to Stay Ahead)

December is nearly here and for service stations across Australia, that means one thing:

the silly season rush has officially begun.

More cars on the road, hotter temperatures, pre-holiday pressure, new staff onboarding and unpredictable summer storms all combine to create one of the most challenging safety periods of the year for fuel retailers.

If you’re a Site Manager, Area Manager or Compliance Lead, you already know December can feel chaotic, high-risk and fast-moving. But with the right systems in place, it doesn’t need to be.

In this article, we break down the top five risks service stations face in December and the practical steps you can take to keep staff, customers and your site safe.

1. Increased Traffic = Increased Forecourt Hazards

The two weeks leading up to Christmas see a significant increase in vehicle movements.

More cars = more risk.

Common issues in December include:

• Drivers rushing and ignoring safety markings
• Customers parking unpredictably
• Higher foot traffic around pumps
• Greater chance of minor collisions or near misses

Your December safety focus:

• Clear visibility of ground markings
• Pump zone housekeeping
• Daily forecourt walk-arounds
• Staff reminding customers to turn off engines and phones

2. Fuel Spills Increase in Summer (Heat + High Demand)

Summer heat expands fuel and increases the chance of overfills, line pressure issues and spill frequency.

Spills are the fastest way for a safe site to suddenly become unsafe.

Your December safety focus:

• Ensure spill kits are complete and accessible
• Check absorbent materials daily
• Log spills immediately
• Review forecourt CCTV if spill causes are unclear

3. New & Casual Staff = Inconsistent Training

December is peak hiring month. Many service stations bring on:

• School holiday casuals
• Part-time seasonal workers
• Staff from neighbouring stores covering shifts

Here is the challenge:

Training gaps lead directly to safety gaps.

If staff aren’t confident about:

1. Pump shutdown procedures
2. Spill response
3. Hazardous chemicals
4. What to do during a forecourt incident

Your risk increases dramatically.

Your December safety focus:

✔ quick, role-specific training

✔ a clear induction flow

✔ documented evidence of competency

✔ supervisor sign-off for every new team member

4. Storm Season Brings Slip Hazards & Electrical Risks

December is also peak storm and humidity season.

Rain brings slip hazards on tiles and forecourt concrete. Lightning and outages introduce electrical risks.

Common seasonal issues:

• Wet-floor incidents inside the store
• Poor drainage creating hazardous puddles
• Faulty lighting after summer storms
• Power outages impacting pumps or POS

Your December safety focus:

✔ higher-frequency interior floor checks

✔ outdoor hazard inspections

✔ storm readiness procedures

✔ emergency lighting and power checks

5. More Contractors = More Inductions & More Oversight

From pump maintenance to refrigeration servicing, December and January are busy months for contractor work.

But many sites still manage contractor safety on paper or rely on memory.

Contractors must be:

✔ inducted

✔ registered on arrival

✔ logged in/out

✔ briefed on hazards and controls

✔ stored with compliant documentation

Your December safety focus:

✔ digital inductions

✔ contractor checklists

✔ accessible safety documents

✔ sign-off tracking

How to Stay Safe and Compliant This Summer

The silly season doesn’t have to mean safety compromises but it does require structure, visibility and reliable systems.

That’s why many service station operators are now moving away from paper folders, scattered checklists and ad-hoc training.

They’re choosing tools that help them stay ahead!

How ComplianceTrackr Helps Service Stations Prepare for Peak-Risk Months

ComplianceTrackr gives fuel retailers a simple, centralised way to manage:

✔ Daily & Weekly Safety Checklists

• Forecourt checks
• Pump inspections
• Spill kit checklists
• Store walk-arounds

✔ Spill & Hazard Reporting

• Log an incident in seconds with photos.
• Send alerts instantly.
• Create an audit-ready digital trail.

✔ Training & Induction

Role-based training for:

• Site Managers
• Retail staff
• Contractors

✔ Contractor Management

Track all documents, permits and site access.

✔ Document Control

All your policies, SDS sheets, procedures and safety documents in one place.

Whether you operate a single site or multiple locations, ComplianceTrackr helps you stay organised, consistent and compliant, especially during seasonal spikes.

Final Takeaway

The silly season is busy but it doesn’t have to be risky. With the right checks, training and digital systems, service stations can stay safe, compliant and confident all through December and beyond.

Want to strengthen safety at your service station before peak season hits?

✔ Book a demo or chat with our team

✔ See ComplianceTrackr for Service Stations in action

✔ Learn how operators use it to stay audit-ready all year

Let’s make this summer your safest yet.