The UK Material Handling Association have recently released their latest Safety Alert which looks at cold staring 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.”
He continues, “UKMHA are committed to informing the material handling industry on the latest safety guidance. This particular Safety Alert has been issued to highlight the potential dangers when struggling to cold start an LPG truck engine and how to safely deal with the issue.”
The Safety Alert gives advice for operators on what to do, and what not to do, if experiencing difficulty starting an LPG truck engine. It also offers guidance to service and maintenance engineers in how to safely deal with an LPG truck which has a reported starting issue.
All the Safety Alerts are published on the UKMHA website and have been created by the UKMHA Health & Safety Group to highlight hazards and safe working practices for technicians working on material handling equipment. They are freely available to members and non-members alike.
This latest Safety Alert is available to download now from the UKMHA website: https://ukmha.headwall.tech/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/UKMHA-Safety-Alert-0002-LPG-cold-starting.pdf
