Assessment of the Safety Handling of Domestic Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Cylinders using a Suburb of Afienya Township as a Case Study

Abstract

Purpose: LPG is increasingly becoming the preferred choice of household fuel in most parts of the world including Ghana. However, the unsafe handling of LPG cylinders used to store the gas could lead to various safety issues. This research, therefore, assessed the safety state of domestic LPG cylinders using a suburb of Afienya Township in the Greater Accra Region.

Methodology: Questionnaires were distributed among 148 domestic LPG users to sample their views on domestic LPG cylinder safety knowledge. Applying the technique of triangulation, both closed and open-ended questions were used to sample views. Statistically, both qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed on the data. The data was categorized and tabulated to address the purpose of the study.

Findings: From the survey, it was discovered that 59.50% had virtually no idea or safety knowledge of LPG usage it was noted that 48.65% respondents transport LPG cylinders horizontally which is an unsafe practice of handling filled cylinders as it could lead to the excitement of the gas to cause an explosion. Also, 81.76% detect leakage by smell which is also not a safe and efficient way of detecting leakages. It was also a practice of 19.59% of respondents to overfill the cylinders and 53.38% preferred keeping their cylinders within the open space in their kitchen. However, 75.00% showed a good form of leakage rectification practiced through consultation. In summary, the general safety knowledge and handling of domestic LPG cylinders in Afienya is unsatisfactory.

Recommendations: It is therefore recommended that the government of Ghana should strengthen and enforce existing legislation and standards that govern the LPG value chain to ensure both public and consumer safety. Again, there should be continuous education to improve on safety standards for handling domestic LPG usage.