By: Juliet Mettle-Edmonds
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has condemned the act of some unscrupulous people who go round to collect or cheaply buy damaged or old and worn-out LPG Cylinders.
According to the GNFS, these cylinders are repaired, sprayed and taken to the open market for sale to the unsuspecting public.
These refurbished cylinders are said to pose the risk of explosion when filled with liquefied petroleum gas.
The GNFS is therefore cautioning the public to look out for and avoid buying such white washed cylinders.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations of the Ghana National Fire Service, GNFS, ACFO1 Timothy Osafo-Affum, this act is not only illegal, criminal and dangerous, but poses serious risk of gas leakage from the low resistance points on the cylinder body, when filled with liquefied petroleum gas.
Such cylinders also stand the risk of rupture, which could lead to injuries, loss of lives and fire explosion.
The GNFS is therefore advising the general public to always look out for the manufacturer details, serial number of the cylinder, weight class, international organization for standardization (ISO) number, test pressure and particularly, the date of manufacture, on the cylinder, when buying LPG cylinders from the market.
The statement said in other to ensure safety of lives at home and work place, all must purchase LPG cylinder made from only registered or authorized dealers.
The general public is also being cautioned on the disposal of damaged, old, rusted and expired LPG Cylinders which constitute hazardous waste.
They are not to be disposed of as ordinary waste or discarded in public places or refuse collection points. All such worn-out cylinders are to be taken to outlets of registered gas supply companies, distributors or LPG recycling centres or plants.
The Ghana National Fire Service is also calling on the general public to assist with information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of this criminal and dangerous activities.
