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Fire and Explosion in a LPG Storage Facility

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Fire and Explosion in a LPG Storage Facility
During the night of 9th April 2008, there was a fire and explosion somewhere in Johor Baharu involving the storage and sales of compressed liquified petroleum gas (LPG) facility owned by the distributor. The accident caused the deaths of 3 workers who were undertaking some work in the premises. Apart from those deaths, the building roof structures were badly damaged,2 lorries parked in the store were destroyed and 4 adjoining buildings were affected by the fire.It is believed the leakages from some of the LPG cylinders stored in the premises and the source of ignition in the facility contributed to the accident.
The forensic engineering investigation on the accident is still continuing to unearth the root causes of the accident.
It is strongly advised that the following safe work practices are followed for facility involving the handling and storage of flammable and explosive substances:
1
Hazard identification, risk assessment and control (HIRARC) has to be carried out for such facility involving the handling and storage of liquefied petroleum gas to provide a safe system of work.
2
According to Section 15, Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 it is the duty of the employer to provide safe system of work to ensure the health and safety of their workers and other persons other their own workers who might be affected by the activities that are being carried out.
3
Such facility which stored LPG has to be isolated from sources of heat, naked flames or sparks to prevent any fire from taking place.
4
Information on safety precautions to be followed can be obtained from the Chemical Safety Data Sheet (CSDS) for liquefied petroleum gas.
5
Further readings on the subject matter regarding the handling and storage of liquefied petroleum gas are available in the following internet portal as follows:
» http://www.shellgas.com.my/
» http://www.wyrebc.gov.uk/Page.aspx?DocID=7772&PgeID=12948
» http://www.thefpa.co.uk/Resources/Member+Library/Recommendations/
Occupational+Storage+Hazards/Storage+use+and+handling+of+common+
industrial+gases+in+cylinders+including+LPG.htm
» http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/WorkSafe
» http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/support/health-safety/health-and-safety/documents/CODE%20of%20PRACTICE%20-%20COMPRESSED%20GAS%20CYLINDERS.pdf
» http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquified_petroleum_gas

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