LPG gas vessels and underground pressurised pipe systems have come under the HSE spotlight after gas leaking into a cellar resulted in an explosion which killed several people. This may not seem relevant to most farmers until they realise that any leak of an inert gas has the potential to fill an excavation or pit below ground level; this could include any service tunnel or grain reception pit. Any potential resulting explosion could be catastrophic to the farm in question. The HSE have raised several issues over the safety of LPG systems.

Firstly, regarding the vessels which normally belong to the gas providers; few farmers receive any documentation from the delivery driver to outline if and what has been inspected before the vessel was filled. We would advise farmers to contact their supplier and ask for concise details of what is involved in the pre-fill inspection and ensure that the supplier leaves a copy with the farmer.

The other issue, which is more important to the farmer, is the pipes which run from the vessel to the burner as they are generally the responsibility of the farmer. It is extremely difficult to carry out a regular and thorough examination of the underground sections. Many installations have been in place for years with no formal inspection procedures in place.

The first step in the Risk Assessment process should be to check any details of the original installation to establish whether the pipes were put in conduits, which would protect the pipes from damage and corrosion and make subsequent inspections easier.

All farmers with this type of installation should, as a matter of urgency, conduct a Risk Assessment and should have the underground pipes fully inspected.
Please contact your Safety Revolution Consultant should you require assistance in this process.

Yours sincerely

Oliver Dale MBA GradIOSH
Managing Director
oliver@safetyrevolutionltd.com
07766 433433