Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders are being filled by decanting equipment. These cylinders can be for commercial use (e.g. forklift trucks) or for domestic use (e.g. cook tops, barbecues, and camping). It is critical that all decanting operations are carried out in a suitable and safe manner.
What happened?
A fire broke out at a business whilst LPG cylinders were being filled using decanting equipment. The source of ignition may have been from a static discharge between the worker’s hand and the LPG cylinder. Even a small static discharge when touching an LPG cylinder can be enough to ignite LPG vapor. The employee suffered injuries and significant damage was caused to the workplace. The incident also caused a serious threat to other workers, members of the public and surrounding residential and commercial premises.
Issues
- Operators not properly trained to use decanting equipment to fill LPG cylinders.
- Operators not following recommended decanting procedures to discharge any static energy from cylinders prior to filling.
- Synthetic clothing, such as nylon, increases the risk of static discharge.
- Certain environmental conditions can increase the effect of static discharge e.g. dry weather with low humidity and lack of or incorrect use of appropriate personnel protective equipment (PPE).
- Awareness of hazardous zones around decanting areas when filling LPG cylinders.
Recommendations
Operators and workers undertaking decant filling of LPG cylinders should ensure that:
- The recommended decanting procedure is adopted, either from the suppliers training document or, as a minimum, from AS/NZS 1596:2014 The storage and handling of LP Gas, appendix J – Decanting Procedure.
- Operators and workers understand the nature of static electricity and the recommended discharge of static energy.
- Workers are able to demonstrate competency in decanting equipment to fill LPG cylinders procedures. This includes using PPE appropriate for the task and responding to LPG emergencies.
- No ignition sources are introduced into a hazardous area where decanting equipment to fill LPG cylinders is being used. This includes customers who may accidentally bring a source of ignition into the hazardous zone.
- Decanting equipment is in a serviceable condition. Operators and workers are competent to identify worn or damaged decanting equipment.
- Cotton or anti-static clothing is worn where possible.
- The deadman’s handle is operable allowing filling only with the worker attendance.
For further information about gas safety, visit www.dnrm.qld.gov.au