Safety Information Message – SIM2302

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is aware of a number of fires on, and around, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) powered forklift trucks and other similar vehicles that have occurred during starting. Deposits in vaporiser units, flow regulators and shut off valves cause the truck to fail to start, particularly from cold. Build-up of deposits can lead to sticking valves and the mixture supplied to the engine being too rich to be ignited. Repeated starting attempts can result in the release of unburned LPG, which in extreme cases can be ignited, setting fire to the vehicle and surrounding materials. Actions are required of operators and service / maintenance engineers.