Impact protection for LPG cylinders

Published: 25 September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the importance of adequate impact protection for LPG cylinders and to remind gas work licence holders and LPG delivery network operators of their responsibilities.

Background

In June 2015, a car ploughed into unprotected gas cylinders, igniting a fire at a Ravenshoe café causing two deaths and multiple injuries.

Recently, two gas cylinders were discovered without adequate impact protection in a nearby location. The Department of Natural Resources and Mines (Petroleum and Gas) released an alert to all gas installers.

Contributing factors

There may be a number of factors that contribute to these types of incidents. The following issues were identified as areas for improvement:

Responsibilities:

• Gas work licence holders are responsible for installing LPG cylinders compliantly, including impact protection.
• LPG Delivery Network Operators are responsible for:
  • conducting initial and subsequent pre-delivery checks to determine if an installation is compliant before delivering LPG
  • having a process in place to manage reports of non-compliance relating to LPG installations they supply.
• Users of LPG cylinders are responsible for reporting any suspected non-compliances to the LPG operators and/or Petroleum and Gas.

Training:

LPG Delivery Network Operators should ensure training provided to their personnel or contractors includes:

• identifying and reporting non-compliances
• non-delivery if a new installation does not comply with the requirements of AS/NZS1596.

Action required

All users of gas cylinders should be aware of the hazard and decide if it is possible for a vehicle to bump or hit the cylinders. If you are concerned, report this to your provider or the Petroleum and Gas inspectorate on the numbers below.

Northern Region
(from Proserpine to Cape York including Torres Strait)
Email: PGNorthern@dnrm.qld.gov.au
Ph: (07) 4447 9274

Central Region
(from Bundaberg to Mackay)
Email: PGCentral@dnrm.qld.gov.au
Ph: (07) 4936 0188

Southern Region
(from Coolangatta to Maryborough)
Email: PGSouthern@dnrm.qld.gov.au
Ph: (07) 3330 4241

Further information

• S.708A of the Petroleum and Gas Production and Safety Act 2004, makes it an offence not to comply with a legislated safety requirement.
• Schedule 1 of the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Regulation 2004, lists AS/NZS1596:2014 as a legislated preferred standard.
• Appendix Q of AS/NZS1596:2014, is the legislated safety requirement for the storage and handling of LPG including installing fuel gas containers.

Photograph 1: Non-compliant impact protection for LGP cylinders.