SAFE WORKING WITH LPG-FUELLED MOTOR VEHICLES

HSE press release E237:03 - 26 November 2003

New safety guidance is published today to help those working on the increasing number of LPG fuelled vehicles on the roads.

Safe working with LPG-fuelled motor vehicles (INDG 387), is a new leaflet explaining the main safety and health risks associated with work on vehicles fuelled with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and was launched at today's meeting of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Motor Vehicle Repair (MVR) Health and Safety Forum - a body bringing together HSE and industry representatives.

The guidance was produced by the MVR Forum and gives advice on some of the precautions that can be taken. It is aimed at employers, the self-employed, and employees in the motor vehicle repair, recovery and breaking industries who are likely to carry out any work which may affect the LPG fuel system. It does not cover work on the fuel system itself.

In launching the leaflet John Powell, Head of Engineering in HSE's Manufacturing Sector and Chair of the MVR Forum, said "There are currently over 80,000 vehicles on our roads fuelled with LPG. It is important that those concerned have been fully trained to understand the risks and the precautions to be taken".

The leaflet folds out so it can be used as a poster for display in MVR garages and other places where anyone is likely to work on these vehicles.

Notes to editors

1. The Motor Vehicle Repair Health and Safety Forum is organised by the National Engineering Group, part of HSE's Manufacturing Sector and based in Birmingham. The group acts as a co-ordinating body for those involved with health and safety affecting the motor vehicle repair (MVR) industry - from major franchised motor dealers to small independent garages, tyre fitting and service centres and roadside recovery. Further information about the Forum, including its membership and terms of reference can be found on www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/committees/mvr/index.htm.

2. Every year the motor vehicle repair industry report over 3,000 injuries of all types to the HSE and Local Authorities and many others go unreported. It is estimated that accidents at work cost the UK motor vehicle repair industry around £250 million every year. Further information about health and safety in motor vehicle repair can be found on HSE's website www.hse.gov.uk/mvr.

Copies of Safe working with LPG-fuelled motor vehicles (INDG 387) can be ordered online at http://books.hse.gov.uk

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