LPG Forklift Truck Safety Alert

The UK Material Handling Association have recently released their latest Safety Alert which looks at cold starting an LPG truck engine.

This Safety Alert has been issued following some reports of users of LPG powered trucks experiencing issues with the start-up process. David Goss, UKMHA Technical Director, explains, “Investigations into the root cause are ongoing, but instances where a build-up of deposits in the evaporator (pressure regulator), flow regulator and shut-off valve have been identified.

“The concern is that sticking valves could lead to a mixture which is too rich and therefore cannot be ignited. If there are then repeated starting attempts, this can lead to a release of a high unburned concentration of LPG which, in extreme cases, could present a risk of fire. This is because LPG is heavier than air, so it will accumulate in low lying areas where it can easily be ignited by an ignition source, such as sparks, electrical arc or a hot surface.”

Both TakeAIM and Good to Go Safety inspection checklists are designed to help you spot potential defects early, before they develop into something more serious. Sometimes however, pre-use checks might not uncover all potential issues and educating / training operatives on what to look out for can go a long way to preventing dangerous situations from arising. We would therefore ask anyone using LPG forklifts to download and be aware of the latest safety bulletin which looks at issues that can arise when cold starting an LPG forklift truck engine and preventative actions that should be taken.

UKMHA have released an LPG safety bulletin following a serious incident involving an LPG forklift. To watch the video click here.

To read the full story: click here or you can download the latest Safety Alert PDF