Commercial Safety

Propane Gas Safety: Commercial Safety

Safety on the job is one of your top priorities. Keeping our customers safe around propane is our top priority. It’s our job to make sure you and your team understand the importance of propane gas safety on the job site, so your work continues to run smoothly.


Propane Safety Tips

  • Propane must be kept away from open flames and ignition sources
  • Container should always be refilled by a qualified technician
  • DO NOT smoke while handling propane cylinders
  • Remember, direct contact with propane will cause freeze burns to skin

ALWAYS

  • Familiarize yourself with the location of your storage tank’s vapor service shutoff valve
  • Leave installation or repair of appliances or equipment to a qualified technician
  • If you suspect a leak, shut off the tank and call Van Dyke Gas immediately for proper testing
  • Shut off propane tanks that are not in use
  • Wear proper eye protection and gloves when handling propane cylinders.

NEVER

  • Tamper with your system’s supply lines or appliances
  • Tamper with any safety devices, regulators or storage tank fittings
  • Test for a propane leak using an open flame

If a Propane Leak Occurs

If there is a propane leak, propane will always gather at the lowest point because propane vapor is heavier than air.

DO:

  • Shut off the storage tank’s service valve
  • Eliminate all possible outside sources of ignition
  • EXIT the building immediately and call 911 from a safe location (i.e., building across the street)
  • After calling 911, call Van Dyke Gas

Do NOT:

  • Turn on any light switches, use a cell phone or use any other electrically operated communications device
  • Test for a leak yourself

Forklift Safety

For safe operation:

DO:

  • Maintain adequate ventilation in facilities where forklifts will operate
  • Practice safe propane handling
  • Keep up on regular forklift maintenance
  • Keep employees up to date on training
  • Perform a thorough safety check of equipment before each use
  • Wear protective equipment including gloves, and safety glasses when exchanging cylinders
  • Equip all people responsible for operating forklifts and changing cylinders with forklift manufacturer operator safety training courses
  • Maintain current Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards
  • Store cylinders vertically or horizontally but when horizontal, the relief device must be located at the 12 o’clock position

Do NOT:

  • Attempt to exchange propane cylinders without the proper training
  • Use metal tools when changing cylinders
  • Let cylinders get too hot
  • Drag, drop, roll, slide or bang cylinders against other objects
  • Use flames or any heat source to check for leaks
  • Use more than 2 LPG cylinders on a forklift truck

Temperature and Heat Safety Tips:

  • The maximum size container to be used inside a building is 100 lbs.
  • Always keep cylinders in an upright position
  • Never lift carry cylinders by the valve
  • Always protect cylinder valves with caps or collars
  • Remember: cylinder valve outlets on containers less than 45 lbs. must be plugged or capped.
  • Equip all cylinders with an excess flow valve or POL adapter that connects the regulator to the container valve to ensure there is excess flow protection
  • LP Gas hose must have a working pressure of at least 350 Psig (pound-force per square inch gauge)
  • Tubing, hose, and valves must be protected from excessive heat, physical damage, or tampering
  • Heater/hose separation must be no less than 6 ft.
  • Hose connections and fittings should be checked with a non-corrosive leak detector solution
  • Regulators should be suitable for the type of LP Gas service it is intended to be used
  • Store all cylinders in safety storage racks away from any source of ignition or extreme heat