Forktruck LP Gas Safety

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Forktruck LP Gas Safety
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Objectives

• Review OSHAs regulations.
• Outline the hazards of Liquefied Petroleum gas.
• Understand the proper method of changing an LP
  tank and safety precautions to follow.

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Powered Industrial Trucks29 CFR 1910.178(f)(2)

• The storage and handling of Liquefied Petroleum
  Gas Fuel shall be in accordance with NFPA storage
  and handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gasses.
  (NFPA No. 58-1969)

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Hazards Associated With Liquefied Petroleum Gas

• Flammable gas - Fire and Explosion.
• Cryogenic liquid Very cold possible freezer
  burns/frostbite to skin.

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Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LP) /Propane

• A derivative of natural gas.
• Heavier than air. Stays near the ground.
• Flammable in nature. (Flashpoint of -1560F)
• Explosive mixture at 2.15 9.60 by volume of
  air.
• Odorless by nature. (Odor is added during
  processing to enable detection of leaks.)

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Fire Precautions When Working With LP tanks

• Do not smoke in or around LP tanks or tank
  filling operations/areas.
• No open flames, sparks or electric arcs near LP
  tanks or tank filling areas. Fill LP Tanks in a
  well ventilated area to prevent the build up of
  LP gas vapors.
• Do not strike the sides of LP tanks with any
  spark producing item.
• Keep tools and other metallic objects away from
  LP tanks.
• Have a charged ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher
  in filling areas.

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LP Gas Safety

• PPE Requirements
• Safety Glasses.
• Rubber or Leather Gloves.

• Hazards
• Under pressure
• Flammable in gas form.
• Contact with liquid causes burns similar to
  frostbite.
• Irritating to eyes.
• Colorless vapor

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Procedures to safely change an LP Tank

• Wear safety glasses and rubber or leather gloves
• Removing an LP tank
• 1.) Close the valve on the tank.
• 2.) Loosen the hose from the tank slowly,
• allowing pressure to bleed off.
• 3.) Release securing clamp on tank.
• 4.) Remove the tank from the fork truck,
• ensuring it does not strike anything.

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Procedures to safely change an LP Tank (cont.)

• Wear safety glasses and rubber or leather gloves
• Reinstalling an LP Tank
• Lift the tank onto the forktruck, ensuring it
  does not strike anything.
• Secure the tank to the truck.
• Check the fuel line hose connection to ensure the
  rubber O-Ring is present, in good condition and
  properly seated.
• Connect fuel line hose to LP tank.
• Open valve slowly, listening/smelling for leaks.

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Special Procedures

• If a hose is leaking, turn off tank valve, slowly
  unscrew the hose line to bleed off pressure and
  then disconnect. Check the condition of the
  O-Ring as before. Re-connect fuel line hose to
  LP Tank and open valve slowly.
• If leaking continues, shut off the tank valve,
  disconnect the fuel hose line and notify
  automotive.

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LP Fuel Tank Safety

• Know the Hazards
• Use the required PPE
• No Open Flame