Government sets records straight on gas cylinders

The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang, has signed an order reviewing the manner in which Liquefied Petroleum Gas Cylinders will henceforth be handled, stored and transported in Cameroon.

The May 26, 2015 Prime Ministerial Order, published on August 31, 2015, fixes conditions by which traders must abide in order to carry out their business.

The order hints that the centres for filling liquefied gas cylinders fall under potential danger, unhealthy or inconvenient establishments.

Distribution centres or depots are listed as those which are expected to have installations for services whereas retailers are considered as those with the capacity to stock 20 gas cylinders of 12.5 kg.

Handling

The order insists that any person handling gas cylinders must be trained by the supplier or any approved body. The handling of gas cylinders necessitates the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment such as safety shoes and gloves. Also of note is the fact that gas cylinders are expected to be carried around in pallets, and in the absence of a carriage or chariot, gas cylinders must be rolled with feet. Retailers have been urged to respect to the letter the Cameroonian Standard (norm) NC 1728:2015-62 on gas handling measures. Notwithstanding, the transfer of gas from one cylinder to another in redistribution centres or storage depots has been proscribed.

Storage

Gas cylinders are expected to be stored standing, loose or in pallets, well spaced in accordance with the rules and regulations of the sector. Meantime, household gas cylinders should be stored by licensed persons. This also holds for gas cylinders destined for distribution. The order equally provides for the storage of gas cylinders by retailers duly authorised by the Minister of the downstream gas sector as per the regulations.

Transportation

Carrying gas cylinders from one end of town to the other entails a lot and government wants security measures tightened in that light. To this effect, the Prime Ministerial Order recommends strongly that the legal framework binding the transport sector must be respected. Gas cylinder transport operations carried out by means of vehicles must conform to technical guarantees necessary for planned trips.

Stress has been placed on the need for gas cylinders to remain in hygienic conditions with safety and proper operations with essential transport equipment for loading and offloading. Gas cylinder transporters have been warned to acquire special equipment for stability and a power extinguisher with a minimum capacity of 2 kg.

The order states that gas cylinder transport vehicles must remain natural, full of ventilation and a waterproof separation device between the driver and the transported gas cylinders. The transportation of gas cylinders to the filling plants or redistribution center will henceforth be done exclusively by trucks with pallets and stacked in an upright position.

Operators have been invited to conform to the Order within 24 months from date of its signature.