LPG cylinder blasts
It is also important
to educate the public,
particularly housewives, about the safety
precautions in handling
the LPG cylinders
It is worrying to note that 24 gas cylinder blasts occurred in the Barisal region in the past one year, a report carried in this newspaper recently revealed this. In the absence of effective monitoring, LPG traders are conducting business with utter disregard to safety norms resulting in accidents every now and then, the report stated. Scores of people lost their lives in gas cylinder explosions in different places in the country in recent times. Many who sustained injuries are bearing the brunt of the same throughout their life.
LP Gas cylinders are very commonly used in the household as a cooking gas and also as fuel in motor vehicles. In spite of safety guidelines accidents occur which are fatal. It is difficult to predict an explosion as it may occur in the twinkling of an eye. There are instances of the entire family wiped out by such an explosion. What is surprising is that the dealers responsible for selling LP Gas in Barisal do not have certificates from the Explosive Directorate, Fire Service, Environment Department and District Administration although procurement of the same is mandatory.
How are they running their business evading the vigilance of the law enforcers? Not only in Barisal this is going on in various places in the country.
With the increase in population and rapid urbanization LP Gas consumption is also increasing; it is a complex urban reality that cannot be ignored. Gone are those days when housewives and others did not have to go through such a labyrinthine process. Many housewives are lacking in sufficient knowledge about the safety standards of operating LP gas cylinders. On the other hand, to survive the competition a section of LP Gas dealers are lowering the rates of LP Gas cylinders. To cover the costs low quality cylinders have been released in the market.
It is the responsibility of the relevant authorities to supervise and monitor the activities of LP Gas dealers. The errant ones should be identified and punished. It is also important to educate the public, particularly housewives, about the safety precautions in handling the LPG cylinders and enforce strict guidelines of standards and precautions to be followed by the suppliers.
