LPG and Proper Safety Procedures

Working in my family forklift dealership for 20 years, and being an OSHA forklift safety trainer, I've had some experience with it.

(One of our best mechanics and also a personal friend of mine had three or four large, deep scars on his face that had been caused by an LPG tank exploding on him.)

Here's what the OSHA powered industrial safety code sections say regarding filling LPG tanks:

(It's a pretty clear-cut matter.)

OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)
Powered industrial trucks. - 1910.178

· Standard Number: 1910.178
· Standard Title: Powered Industrial Trucks.
· SubPart Number: N
· SubPart Title: Materials Handling and Storage
· Applicable Standard: Applicable Standard:

(a) - General Requirements
(b) - Designations
(c) - Designated Locations
(d) - Converted Trucks
(e) - Safety Guards
(f) - Fuel Handling & Storage
(g) - Changing & Charging Storage Batteries
(h) - Lighting Operations
(i) - Noxious Gases & Fumes
(k) - Trucks & Railroad Cars
(l) - Operator Training
(m) - Truck Operations
(n) - Traveling
(o) - Loading
(p) - Operation of the Truck

..1910.178(o)(6) (p)(2)

"Fuel tanks shall not be filled while the engine is running. Spillage shall be avoided."

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Here's what the MSDS sheet on LPG from Campora Corporation says about LPG:

"Chemical Name: LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS or PROPANE

CAS Registry No.: 74-98-6 Chemical Family: Hydrocarbon

WARNING: Danger! Extremely flammable.

Compressed Gas Asphyxiant in high concentrations.

Contact with liquid causes burns similar to frost bite.

OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) 1000 ppm for an 8-hour workday.

Appearance and Odor: Vapor and liquid are colorless.

Product contains an odorant (unpleasant odor)."

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Here's some of the facts on LPG:

Propane can be liquefied at ordinary temperatures with moderate pressures.
Propane is approximately -44 degrees Fahrenheit in the liquid state.
Propane burns cleanly, has a high heat value and has a high octane number.
Propane liquid is colorless and odorless in its natural state.
Propane liquid is extremely volatile and will vaporize quickly if spilled.
Propane liquid is extremely volatile and will vaporize quickly if spilled.
Propane liquid leaking into the atmosphere can often be detected by a white fog caused by freezing of moisture in the air.
Propane vapor is heavier than air and can accumulate in low spots.
Propane vapor will diffuse very slowly into the atmosphere unless assisted by strong wind current.
Propane vapor leaking into the atmosphere cannot always be detected by the eye.
There is approximately 37 cubic feet of vapor in one gallon of liquid.

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Here's the proper fueling procedures for forklifts:

Preliminary Filling Procedures
1. Stop vehicle engine. Set emergency brake.
2. Extinguish all open flames in vehicle. Check to insure all burners and pilots are extinguished.
3. Extinguish all smoking materials.
4. Require all passengers to leave vehicle during filling.
5. Determine that tank is not already full by observing discharge from outage valve or weight of container and contents.
6. Carefully inspect tank to insure it is in good condition and approved for LP-gas service. Do not fill tank if defects are found.
7. Fill only tanks with DOT, ICC or ASME nameplates or markings.
8. Fill only tanks which have required protective ring or protective housing to prevent physical damage to valves.
9. Insure that tanks are equipped with a safety relief valve communicating with vapor space. Safety relief valve discharge vent must be covered to prevent entrance of water or dirt.
10. Inspect all tank valves for leakage at time of filling. A leaking container cannot be filled.

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I have to cut the message off<