LP gas safety lapses spark alarm

ALARMED by 11 LP gas-related accidents in 2023 caused by negligence and safety lapses, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has implemented urgent measures to prevent future catastrophes.

ZERA pinpoints the lack of decanting pumps at illegal LP gas retailers as the root cause of most accidents. These leaks, ignited by nearby open flames from refrigerators, cooking fires, or static electricity, resulted in devastating consequences.

“A total of 11 accidents were investigated and of these nine occurred at unlicensed LPG retailers while two involved domestic users of LPG. The domestic fires were caused by arson and negligent placement of a cylinder on an electric stove,” said Zera in their recently released 2023 annual report.

The easy availability of smuggled 48kg LPG cylinders to illegal vendors remains a double-edged sword. The cylinders not only fuel the black market but also pose a significant fire and explosion risk at these unregulated vending sites.

“Zera is working with the South African owners of the cylinders, the police, border authorities and local LPG companies to stop the use of smuggled cylinders and to arrange their repatriation or destruction.”

In 2023, LPG filler training efforts focused on Harare, training 67 percent of the country’s 420 fillers there. Manicaland followed with 16 percent trained, Bulawayo with 12 percent, and Mashonaland West with five percent.

“Zera is planning to increase training engagements for fillers in remote areas outside of the major cities and towns. Registration of LPG installers continued in 2023 with more technicians applying for registration to comply with the LPG regulations.

There are now 16 installers registered and displayed on the Zera website for the public’s benefit.” Monitoring efforts covered 564 retail sites in 2023, achieving a commendable compliance rate of 85 percent, meeting the yearly target.

“The major areas of concern included inadequate provision for leak detection mechanisms, failure to show training records, poorly kept distribution board, non-existent operating procedures, and inadequate fire-fighting provisions at some fuel retail sites. The service station standards training manual has been reviewed to address these issues,” reads the report.@Lo7246Lovelyn