LPG danger on the roads
The Star Online, 18 November 2014
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE - Chairman, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
A RECENT road accident at Km257 of the North-South Expressway which saw a car engulfed in flames after it ran into LPG cylinders strewn in its path from an overturned trailer transporting the cylinders, must be viewed seriously.
All those involved in the transportation of LPG cylinders must learn from this incident so that measures can be taken to prevent similar, incidents which are highly dangerous, from recurring.
Newspaper photographs and video clips shared by fellow citizens showed that LPG cylinder transportation, at the lower-end of the LPG distribution network, might not be as safe as that carried out at the upper-end close to the manufacturers.
Here they normally adopt world-class standards to comply/exceed legal norms imposed by Petroleum (Safety Measures) Act 1984, Petroleum Development Act 1974, Land Public Transport Act 2010 and the Road Transport Act 1987.
Often, one can see transportation equipment or vehicles used in the upper-end of the distribution network to move LPG cylinders from authorised filling depots to the state and district distribution centres with cage-like fixtures to ensure that the cylinders are secure and in the upright position.
However, the same cannot be said at the lower-end of the distribution network.
Often we see employees whisking cylinders on motorcycles or pick-up vans and mini-lorries to their clients with scant regard for safety.
A more alarming situation is the unscrupulous distributors and traders who purchase LPG in bulk and subsequently illegally decant the LPG into smaller domestic cylinders for distribution to homes without proper understanding of the safety SOPs.
Thus far, we have been fortunate that road accidents involving LPG cylinders in Malaysia are very rare until the recent incident at Km257 of the North-South Expressway.
However, accidents do happen around the world, like the incident earlier this year in Russia that caused several of the cylinders to blow up one after another due to Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE).
Nevertheless, in handling and transporting LPG cylinders, the operators are encouraged to observe the following safety precautions and be aware of some basic requirements:
> LPG transporters must be equipped with proper restraints/cages to prevent movement;
> Cylinders must be transported in an upright position with the valve on top;
>Use open-type vehicles to allow free ventilation;
> Must have integral design safety and strength;
> Drivers and crew must not smoke in/near vicinity of loading/unloading;
> Except for the driver and crew there must not be any other passengers;
> No ignition sources (lighters, lanterns, etc.) to be carried/operated on board;
> Display flammable gas danger warnings on sides and back of vehicle;
> If LPG leaks, immobilise vehicle until fixed and declared safe by competent person;
> Must be equipped with adequate and suitable dry powder extinguishers;
> Driver and crew trained on LPG properties, hazards and safety counter-measures;
> Employer must keep records of all training, especially on LPG specific subjects; and
> Carry accurate documentation of size, types and consignor/consignee address.
