Forecourt
January/February 2003
Forecourt safety
pays off
ervice stations have a vested interest in the safe
handling of LPG on their forecourts.
The sale of recreational LP gas involves two types of
risk related activity for the service station forecourt: Decant filling,
that is, the transfer of gas on site, and the Exchange cylinder system
which involves the transfer of gas off site.
There is clearly a big difference between the two systems
as far as the safety risks go - for both customers and the service station.
For the exchange system, the cylinder is filled in a controlled environment
with trained staff, at the supplier's plant. In contrast, the decant
system involves filling the cylinder on the forecourt. This of course
raises the risk exposure for the service station owner who must then
take the responsibility for safety. He or she must ensure that:
· Operators are fully trained;
· There is more
than one person on site;
· Only compliant
(in date) cylinders are filled;
· The cylinder
is suitable and safe to use.
'Swap' can save
you money
According to the man behind the very successful Swap 'n' Go system,
Mr George Schickert, a cylinder exchange system can save you money.
"When you actively engage a program to reduce risk in your workplace,
it starts to pay off." Here are some of the ways:
·
Reduced operator training for re-filling;
· No exposure
to potential injuries with LP Gas transfers;
· You sell all
the gas you buy;
· You roster your
labour to operate the business.
"Risk reduction is part of a risk management plan
for your service station forecourt," Mr Schickert adds. "The
Swap 'n' Go program addresses all of the above while still retaining
both the total range, from the 4Kg Camper through to the 9Kg cylinder
and keeping the retail features of presentation, speed and convenience."
The 'swap' system allows service station owners to address
their "duty of care" obligations while still meeting the commercial
needs of the business. It provides improved site security with less
time away from the console. And, an LP Gas customer can still be served
with only one person on site. For decant filling you must have a minimum
of two people.
To find out more: Call Swap 'n' Go on 1300 652 003.