Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently issued a safe notice regarding the Liquefied Petroleum Gas forklift truck fire risk. HSE said that there have been a number of fires, on and around LPG powered forklift trucks during starting.
The issue is build-up of deposits in the fuel system like the vaporiser unit, flow regulator and shut off valves of LPG forklift trucks. These deposits causes problems with starting, particularly from cold. Build-up of deposits can lead to sticking valves and the mixture supplied to the engine being too rich to ignite. Repeated starting attempts can release unburnt LPG, which in extreme cases can ignite, setting fire to the forklift truck and surrounding materials.
Action Required by Forklift Truck Operators include,
- Review safe system of work for all LPG powered forklift trucks
- Provide information, instructions and training regarding issues raised in this alert to all forklift truck operators
- Park LPG powered forklift trucks in well ventilated areas, free from flammable materials, particularly when parked overnight or for longer periods.
If the forklift truck does not start within normal few seconds, then
- Do NOT continue to turn (crank) the engine over using the starter
- Do NOT repeat the normal engine starting procedure
- Do NOT spray volatile agents into the air intake in an attempt to aid starting
- Get off the forklift truck and close the shut off valve to isolate the LPG
- Secure the forklift truck to prevent further starting attempts
- Ensure the area is well ventilated
- Do NOT attempt o solve or repair the problem yourself, call a competent maintenance engineer to check the LPG system
Advice for Service and maintenance engineers
If you are presented with an LPG powered forklift truck with a starting problem:
- do NOT follow the normal starting procedure
- isolate the LPG supply by closing the shut off valve
- ensure that the area is well ventilated
- disconnect the battery
- release LPG pressure trapped in the fuel supply system
- follow the manufacturer’s guidance for inspection of the LPG system
LPG is cold, take appropriate precautions when working with it. Once released LPG is heavier than air and can pool in low lying areas, where it can be ignited by any source of ignition, including static electricity, electrical sparks and hot surfaces.
Useful Links:
- Rider-operated lift trucks: Operator training and safe use
- About liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
- Regulation 12 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) requires that the risks to users from work equipment catching fire are adequately controlled. -
Other News from Wallace Forklift Training London
- The National Forklift Safety Day was celebrated on 13 June 2023. The campaign is run by UKMHA and the theme this year is “Improve Site Safety” with the slogan “Safe Sites Save Lives”. The campaign runs for the whole year and we will report any interesting events.
- The regular visitors to our website will have noticed that we have upgraded it. We hope you like the changes.
Wallace School of Transport including Forklift Training in London is a fully accredited RTITB company with over 60 years' experience. You can be trained either at your own work site or at Wallace Centre in Park Royal. If you have any questions, call Wallace Forklift Training on 020 8453 3440, choose option 3 or click here to email us.