HSE issues LPG forklift safety notice

5 July 2023

The Health and Safety Executive has issued a safety notice concerning a potential fire risk for those responsible for operating, supplying, inspecting or maintaining LPG powered forklift trucks.

The organisation says it is aware of a number of fires occurring on and around such machines and similar vehicles which have occurred during starting, owing to a build-up of deposits in fuel systems, in particular the vaporiser units.

Such deposits in vaporiser units, flow regulators and shut-off valves can cause the truck to fail to start, particularly from cold. They can also lead to sticking valves and the mixture supplied to the engine being too rich to be ignited.

The HSE says that repeated starting attempts can release unburned LPG which, in extreme cases, can be ignited, setting fire to the vehicle and surrounding materials.

It recommends that operators should review their safe working practices and provide information and training for users about the hazards. LPG vehicles should be parked in well-ventilated areas free from flammable material, particularly when parking overnight or for longer periods. 

If a truck does not start within the normal few seconds, the advice is not to continue to turn the engine over using the starter and not to spray volatile agents into the air intake in an attempt to aid starting. Users should get off the machine and close the shut-off valve to isolate the gas bottle, secure the truck to prevent further starting attempts and ensure the area is well ventilated. 

The guidance, which can be found at the HSE website, also contains information for service and maintenance engineers.