Domestic LPG cylinder disasters occur due to multiple reasons, which further include unchanging hosepipe frequently leading to its damage, burglary from cylinders, displacing of LPG from domestic to non-domestic cylinders, use of non-approved substandard equipment, inappropriate handling at consumer premises, failure of O-rings, leakage from LPG hose, leakage from stove, LPG cylinders exploding due to excessive heat triggered during fire caused by different factors, etc.
Data has shown that Karnataka sees a 21.6 per cent surge in fire accidents caused by leaking LPG cylinders, from 512 cases in 2022 to 623 in 2023.
Emphasizing the paramount importance of consumer safety, a campaign for basic safety checks of LPG domestic gas connections has been launched free of charge by the government oil companies and their distributors across the country. As per a release by the All India LPG Distribution Federation, during this inspection, the delivery person will check all the gas equipment within a stipulated timeframe so as to avoid any kind of mishap and educate consumers on safety protocols. In case the orange-coloured safety hose is found to be damaged, it can be replaced at a discounted price of Rs.150/- (for a 1.5-meter hose)
“This has been started in the capital Delhi and all the areas of the country and the target has been set to reach the homes of all 30 crore domestic gas consumers in the next three to four months” said Chandra Prakash, President, All India LPG Distribution Federation. He further said that “This safety check is being done without any financial gain; its only objective is to ensure that the consumer remains safe while using the LPG connection. This is also mandatory for taking claims on third party insurance in case of an accident”.
All registered LPG consumers will be covered under a comprehensive insurance policy under the ‘Public Liability Policy for Oil Industries’ provided by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMC). Losses arising out of accidents where LPG is the primary cause of fire will be covered under this policy. At present, the policy provides for personal accident cover of Rs.6 lakh per person in case of death, medical expenditures of Rs.30 lakh per event with a maximum of Rs.2 lakh per person, and property damage cover of a maximum of Rs.2 lakh per event at the authorized customer’s registered premises, it was also highlighted that this initiative is not driven by financial gain but solely aimed at ensuring consumer safety while using LPG connections. Moreover, compliance with these safety checks is essential for making claims on third-party insurance in the event of an accident.
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