Safety

Easigas takes health & safety seriously

Safety is of paramount concern to Easigas. Our commitment to pursue the goal of causing no harm to people and to protect the South African environment, is reflected in the Health & Safety Environment Policy.

In this site, we've provided some general safety information based on the properties & hazards of LPG. We've also included details of the Material Safety Data Sheets, which can be printed out for future reference.

General Safety

• LPG vapour is heavier than air. Any leakage will sink to the ground and accumulate in low-lying areas.
• Do not store highly combustible material, ignition sources and hot surfaces at ground level or lower than the LPG vessel or anywhere adjacent to the vessel.
• LPG vapourises and cools rapidly. It can therefore inflict severe cold burns if spilt on the skin or if some types of LPG equipment are touched without protective gloves and goggles being worn.
• LPG is non-toxic. It has, however, an anaesthetic effect when mixed with air in high concentrations. The greater the concentration (as available oxygen declines), the greater the risk of suffocation.
• LPG is odourless. A stench agent is added to allow for detection of LPG leaks. NEVER try to detect leaks with a naked flame or other kinds of ignitions!
• LPG is flammable like all petroleum fuels. It must be stored away from sources of ignition and in a well-ventilated area.
• LPG expands rapidly when the temperature rises. Storage tanks, pipelines and equipment must be protected against the high pressure resulting from liquid expansion with rising temperatures.
• LPG will cause natural rubber and some plastics to deteriorate. Only use hoses and other equipment specifically designed for LPG.

Back To Top

Bulk Tank Safety
Easigas will ensure that the LPG tank is located in a safe location and that the necessary devices are in place to protect the tank, pipelines and appliances.

Take care of your installation. In particular you should:

• Keep any security fences provided for the tank in good condition. Keep the gate(s) locked shut. If there is no fence, keep the tank valve cover locked and keep the keys in a handy place.
• Keep rubbish and anything combustible well away from the tanks and ensure weeds/grass are kept down. Don’t use chlorate-based weed killer, as this can be a fire hazard.
• Keep vehicles away from the installation.
• Keep people not involved with the installation well away from it.
• Don’t let anyone smoke or have any electrical equipment, vehicles, bonfires, barbecues or other sources of ignition near the installation. Make sure the “No Smoking“ signs and any other notices are maintained.
• Ensure that any above ground pipe work from the tank to the point of use is protected against accidental damage and is properly supported. Make sure you know the route underground piping takes and avoid putting anything which may damage the pipe work or the tank in the ground.
• Read the operating instructions and the emergency actions carefully. Make sure that everyone in the premises is aware of them.
• Don’t make any modifications, which may affect the installation e.g. altering firewalls, erecting fences or installing electrical equipment near the tank. If in doubt, ask Easigas for advice. The tank must not be painted by anyone other than Easigas.
• Only let an Easigas authorised engineer work on the installation.

Back To Top

Cylinder Safety

Safe Storage

• Store cylinders in a well ventilated place, away from open flames, electrical appliances and power points.
• Do not store in a cellar or in a closed area. The gas is heavier than air and will “flow” into low points and collect, causing a flammable mixture.
• Never store the cylinders near to a heat source or in direct sunlight.
• Always use a hose designed for use with LPG. The hose should have a maximum length of 2m with clamps at both ends. Hoses should be replaced every 2 years as they deteriorate over time.
• When in use, all cylinders must be equipped with pressure regulators designed specifically for either propane or butane, which will regulate the pressure when temperatures change. Use the correct regulator for the type of gas.
• Always follow the instructions supplied when connecting the pressure regulator to the cylinder and do not open the cylinder valve or regulator tap until the pressure regulator is securely attached.
• Never smoke while connecting the equipment and do not check for leaks with a flame.
• Look at the washer of the pressure regulator or valve before connecting each new cylinder. If the rubber looks worn or damaged, replace it or contact your supplier.
  

Using LPG to Cook Safely

• Make sure the cylinder is upright.
• Place the gas cooker and cylinder above ground level with the cooker positioned higher than the cylinder.
• Ensure that the rubber hose does not touch the surface of cooker.
• The correct way to light a non-automatic cooker is as follows:
  • Light a match
  • Put the flame to the burner
  • Turn on the cooker’s valve
• When cooking, keep doors and windows open.
• Do not rest hot cooking appliances on the cylinder.
• Never subject the cylinder to excessive heat.
• Turn off the valve or regulator tap when you have finished cooking.
• If you will not be cooking for a long period, remove the regulator and seal the valve nozzle with the red safety cap provided.
• Do not let children handle the cylinders or appliances.

Safety Checks

• Regularly check your hose for signs of damage or cracking.
• Check the hose connection for leakages by applying a soap solution. DO NOT test with naked flame.
• Replace the hose and clips every 2 years with approved types, which can be obtained from Easigas dealers.
• Replace regulators every 5 years with approved types, which can be obtained from Easigas dealers.

Empty Cylinders

• Turn off the taps of the connected appliance, then close the cylinder valve or regulator tap. Seal it with the yellow safety cap provided. Use the red safety cap provided for duo valve cylinders.
• Always return your empty cylinders to your supplier.

Back To Top

Emergency Procedures

Gas Leak Inside

If you smell gas:

• Turn off the valve of the tank or cylinder.
• Extinguish all naked flames immediately.
• Do not operate any electrical equipment and be aware of any equipment, which may switch on or off automatically.
• Open all doors and windows to ventilate the area.
• Contact your installer or the technician who maintains your appliances.
• If the leak is on a cylinder, move the cylinder to a well-ventilated outdoor area.

Gas Leak Outdoors

• Turn off the gas at the main shut off valve of the tank or cylinder.
• Extinguish all naked flames immediately.
• Call Easigas.
• Restrict unauthorised access to the area.
• If the leak is on a cylinder, move the cylinder to a well ventilated outdoor area.

Major Leak or Fire

• Call the fire brigade, advising them it is a leak/fire involving LPG.
• For a leak or a fire indoors, get everyone out of the premises. For a leak or a fire outdoors, evacuate all persons from the area and keep upwind of any leak.
• Call Easigas.
• When the fire brigade arrives, indicate to them all areas where LPG is stored (tanks or cylinders).

Back To Top

• The safety of our customers, our neighbours, our contractors and our staff is of paramount concern to Easigas in South Africa. Equal concern is given to health and environmental issues associated with our business and this is reflected in our Health, Safety and Environmental Policy.
• Our business also operates to the Shell Global LPG standards and follow the same Health, Safety and Environmental Management System (HSE-MS), which is similar in concept to an ISO 9000 quality system. This ensures that the Health, Safety and Environmental risks associated with our business activities are as low as reasonably practical.
• What does this mean in practice? Here are some examples: The equipment that we use in our business is designed, operated and maintained to high standards.
• Every time a cylinder enters one of our filling plants, it is checked for damage and corrosion. It will only be filled if it passes this inspection.
• After filling, every cylinder is checked to make sure that there are no leaks and to make sure that it has not been over-filled or under-filled. Only cylinders that pass these checks will leave the filling plant.
• Every cylinder is pressure tested periodically to ensure that it is fit to be used.
• Before filling your tank, the driver will check that it is safe to do so.
• Every tank and its fittings are inspected periodically to make sure that they are in good condition.
• Drivers of vehicles transporting LPG are trained in good driving practices, emergency procedures, etc.
• All businesses carry out internal audits to ensure that high standards are being maintained. Every business is subjected to external audits periodically to confirm this.

Back To Top