Guidelines set for safer LPG use

CEBU, Philippines — Safety first.

This was the directive of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in dealing with energy use, particularly in addressing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-related incidents.

Cusi, in a statement, said the department has released a unified Code of Safety Practices in LPG refilling plants as part of its aggressive campaign for safer use of LPG.

“The Code of Safety supports the DOE’s E-Safety Mo Campaign as we commit to strengthen consumer protection against illegal peddling and use of petroleum products, including LPG,” Cusi said.

With the substantial contributions from industry stakeholders, the code outlines the safety standard operating procedures for tank truck and lorry entry procedure, cylinder refilling procedure, LPG cylinders housekeeping and preventive maintenance, fire drill and fire marshall, and personnel training  requirements.

The cylinder refilling procedure, for instance, includes requirements for counting check of empty cylinders; segregating of cylinders for repair, repaint, requalification, scrap or non-conforming, good and others; unloading of brand-new and requalified-repair cylinders from supplier/vendor; and filling of cylinders using electronic manual filling machines.

Last November 9, the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau, together with oil industry stakeholders, led the signing ceremony of the safety guidelines for LPG refilling plant participants.

DOE's E-Safety Mo campaign, a safety and savings measures through energy efficiency, is part of its E-Power MO campaign that serves as President Rodrigo Duterte’s energy policy agenda. (FREEMAN)