50 years of the Australia LP Gas Association!
By Steve Woodward, CEO, Australia LP Gas Association
Sydney Harbor
Steve Woodward, CEO, Australia LP Gas Association
2008 Highlights
- Over 100,000 Autogas conversions performed within the year, the first time since 1994
- Mandatory inspections for SIDEK PRX relief valves in vehicles in place in Queensland and NSW by different legislative mechanisms. (This was in response to a small number of LP Gas powered vehicles that had had tank ruptures associated with the use of Sidek RRX relief valves)
- Western Australian Department of Consumer and Employment Protection reported on a new test method for determining extractables from all flexible hoses, including those used in Autogas installations
- Standards Australia insisted that the date of application clause be omitted from revision of AS 1596, leaving open the possibility of retrospectivity, but later relinquished this position. Standards Australia is recognized by the Australian Government as Australia’s peak Standards body.
- Huanri cylinder valve bonnet ejection issue addressed.
- Autogas Roadside Rescue kit for motorists who run dry successfully trialed and put into service with NRMA (The National Roads and Motorists' Association) in Snowy Mountains.
- 12 large and successful tradeshows and trade nights held at 12 venues across Australia
- Alan Beale, Managing Director, Elgas (and WLPGA First Vice-President), awarded Life Membership in recognition of conspicuous and distinguished service to the LP Gas industry
Alan Beale, Managing Director, Elgas
Australia LP Gas Association - Ensuring Safety and Helping Industry to Prosper
A recurring theme that has been forever evident in the Association has been one of safety. Among the earliest correspondence on record, encouraging the formation of the Association, is a letter dated 11th October 1956, from Bill Pettingell, Australian Gas Light Company (AGL) to Walter Ashton, Wesfarmers Kleenheat Gas where he said commenting on the potential growth of the LPG industry“Many organizations are directly interested in these projects, and it is felt that cooperation in regards to methods, usages, and standards of safety, without restriction of normal competition, would be to the advantage of the prospective users, the LP Gas industry, and the Australian people in general”.
Initially the source of LP Gas was from oil refineries, and that changed with the finding and exploitation of oil and gas fields in the 1970s. Today 80% of Australia’s LP Gas comes from gas fields and 20% from oil refineries.
Australia LP Gas Association members demand technical information, and adherence to high standards of safety, and the elimination from the industry of reckless practitioners who do not follow safety standards, in either the fitting of LP Gas equipment in the automotive or traditional heating and cooking applications, or in the supply of sub-standard equipment.
Australian LP Gas Association maintains a comprehensive reporting system and data bank of safety incidents. Over the past year, 240 incidents were reported, an increase of 10% over the previous year. Fifty three were classified as major incidents and included the death of a tradesman by asphyxiation when LP Gas leaked into a trench, and the deaths of two tanker drivers, one as a result of another motorist swerving in front of a truck. The other is still under investigation.
The random, compulsory screening of drug and alcohol use by drivers is now established, with all transport members implementing specific screening programs and driver fatigue management programs are being adopted, with increased safety and productivity gains.
Advocacy and publicity is also important but is always ranked behind safety concerns.
For more information on the Australian LP Gas Association, please contact Steve Woodward at swoodward@alpga.asn.au or visit the website http://www.lpgaustralia.com.au/
