LPG CYLINDERS ROAD TRANSPORT SAFETY PROCEDURES BASICS AND TUTORIALS

Procedures for safe transport of LPG cylinders by road.

Transport
• Carry cylinders on open vehicles. Keep cylinders upright and adequately secured, e.g. with a rope.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, e.g. 1 kg dry power, in the cab to deal with any small fire, e.g. an engine fire.
• Do not leave cylinders on vehicles unsupervised.
• Ensure that the driver has received adequate training and instructions about the hazards of LPG, emergency procedures, driver duties, etc.
• Ensure that relevant information is readily available on the vehicle, e.g. on a clipboard in the cab. This written information, e.g. as a TREMCARD, should contain details of the nature of the load and the action to take in an emergency.

Duties of vehicle operator
• Check whether the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Packages, etc.) Regulations 1986 apply. Exceptions apply to cylinders <5 litres; cylinders which are part of equipment carried on the vehicles, e.g. burning gear, bitumen boilers; cylinders associated with vehicle operation, e.g. cooking, water heating.
• Ensure the vehicle is suitable, normally an open vehicle. Use of a closed vehicle should be restricted to a small number of cylinders with a load compartment having adequate ventilation.
• Ensure the driver has adequate information in writing, e.g. a TREMCARD.
• Ensure the driver is provided with adequate instruction and training and keeps necessary records.
• Ensure loading, stowage, unloading are performed safely. All cylinders should be packed, strapped, supported in frames, or loaded to avoid damage resulting from relative movement. Cylinders should be stowed with valves uppermost.
• Ensure all precautions are taken to prevent fire or explosion.
• Ensure suitable fire extinguishers are provided.
• Ensure the vehicle displays two orange plates if 500 kg of LPG is carried.
• Report any fire, uncontrolled release or escape of the LPG, to the appropriate authority.

Duties of the driver
• Ensure the relevant written information from the operator is always available during carriage. Destroy, remove or lockaway information about previous loads.
• Ensure loading, stowage and unloading are performed safely.
• Ensure all precautions against fire or explosion are taken during carriage.
• Display orange plates (when required) and keep them clean and free from obstruction.
• If >3 tonnes of LPG is carried, when the vehicle is not being driven, ensure parking is in a safe place or that it is supervised (by the driver or a competent person aged >18).
• On request provide appropriate information to persons authorized to inspect the vehicle and load.
• Report any fire, uncontrolled release or escape of LPG, to the operator.