Refill LPG cylinders safely
CALOR TECHNICAL trainer Brian O’Flynn is big on safety when it comes to handling LPG. He specialises in training engineers and people across the business. Here, he gives steps to safely refill an LPG gas cylinder on a forklift truck.
The first step is to ensure you are wearing the correct PPE. This is because LPG in its liquid form can give you a cold burn if it makes contact with the skin.
The correct PPE to wear when refilling a forklift truck cylinder is a face shield or visor, a long-sleeved top that is preferably made from cotton, and neoprene or nitrile gloves – preferably the gauntlets. You should also wear safety boots and a hi-vis vest.
When refuelling a refillable LPG cylinder, you should park up to three metres away from the bulk storage tanks; then apply the handbrake and turn the engine off.
Once you’ve checked the content gauge on your refillable LPG cylinder to see how much needs to be refilled, attach the filling hose and gun from the bulk tank installation to the filler valve on the cylinder. You should check the connection on both the hose and the filler valve to make sure they are in good condition.
Open the bleed valve that is on the refillable cylinder; once there is a small release of gas, you can start conveying liquid by using the dead man switch on the installation.
When you start seeing liquid appear, which will be shown with a white jet coming out of the bleed valve, stop filling immediately and close the bleed valve. Then depress the gun to release it and make sure the connection is depressurised. Once you’ve stowed the hose and gun away, return to the cylinder to put the filler valve cap back on.
This advice is for raising safety awareness and is not a replacement for training.
For more information, visit www.calor.co.uk
