LPG violations rampant in Western Region – NPA

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) says it has identified that some liquefied petroleum gas users in the Western region are still violating safety rules.

The Authority says most of these users have not adhered to the safety precautions required for the usage of the product.

A team from the Corporate Affairs Division of the NPA found this during the second phase of its LPG Door to Door campaign tour of the region.

These malpractices, the NPA says range from placing of stones on cylinders, using coal pots close to cylinders and the use of damaged rubber tubes.

The others are the incorrect fixing of regulators, use of damaged O-Rings and rusty cylinders. The NPA says most of these violations occur at tea stalls, roadside eateries, chop bars, restaurants and even hotels.

Speaking during the exercise, Communications Officer of the NPA, Benjamin Sekyere Owusu said LPG was an excellent fuel for cooking but was only safe if used correctly.

“If stored or used incorrectly, LPG can be extremely dangerous. When safety is compromised accident is born which can cause serious injury or even death. A single mistake in the kitchen can be fatal, so be careful! You can be roasted alive,” he stressed. 

Mr Owusu said most fire accidents occurred due to negligence, the failure to notice leaks and the use of damaged hose could be dangerous.

He stressed the need for the users to be armed to the teeth about how to safely handle gas cylinders in their various communities in order not to endanger their lives and those of the people around them.

He admonished the consumers to preferably locate their gas cylinders outdoors, adding that, “the idea to have the gas cylinder outside the kitchen and connected by a long hose to the stove or burner is a very good idea.”

The team has already visited several eateries in the Takoradi, Sekondi, Effiekuma, Tarkwa and Apemanim areas, where vendors were educated on the appropriate use of LPG cylinders at their business centres and homes.

The sensitization exercise is part of a policy programme by the Authority to ensure the previous spate of LPG related accidents including explosions and fire outbreaks in the parts of the country, are not repeated.

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