35 percent of LPG plants fail to meet safety standards, says Epra

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in Victoria, Australia, has reported that approximately 35 percent of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plants do not comply with the mandatory safety regulations set by the authority. This figure was revealed during a recent compliance audit conducted by EPA inspectors across Victoria.

The audit, which covered a total of 116 LPG plants, identified non-compliance issues in areas such as plant design, installation, operation, maintenance, and record keeping. Some of the most common issues included inadequate fire protection systems, lack of proper emergency response plans, and inadequate training for plant operators.

In addition to LPG plants, the EPA also inspected 126 cooking gas storage and filling stations in Victoria. The results showed that a significant number of these facilities, amounting to 34.7 percent, had also failed to meet the required safety standards. The non-compliance issues at these facilities included inadequate spill containment systems, lack of proper emergency response plans, and inadequate training for staff handling LPG cylinders.

The EPA has given these facilities a deadline to rectify the identified issues and has warned that failure to comply with the regulations could result in penalties or even closure of the facilities. The authority has also urged consumers to check that their LPG supplier is compliant with the regulations before using their services.

It is important to note that LPG is a highly flammable and potentially explosive fuel, and non-compliance with safety regulations can pose a significant risk to public safety. Therefore, it is crucial that LPG plants and storage and filling stations adhere to the mandatory safety regulations to ensure the safe handling, storage, and distribution of this fuel.

The EPA has emphasized that it will continue to conduct regular inspections to ensure that all LPG facilities in Victoria are operating safely and in compliance with the regulations. The authority encourages consumers to report any safety concerns or non-compliance issues they may observe at their LPG supplier's facilities to the EPA hotline or through their website.

In conclusion, the EPA's recent compliance audit revealed that a significant number of LPG plants and cooking gas storage and filling stations in Victoria are not meeting the mandatory safety regulations. The non-compliance issues identified range from inadequate fire protection systems to inadequate training for plant operators and staff handling LPG cylinders. The EPA has given these facilities a deadline to rectify the issues and has urged consumers to check that their LPG supplier is compliant with the regulations before using their services. The authority will continue to conduct regular inspections to ensure public safety.