Propane

Keep renters and employees safe by reminding them of the following guidelines for working with propane appliances and tanks:
Ensure that the appliance is turned off and the fuel supply valve is closed before connecting the fuel tank.
Tighten connections by hand until they come to a full stop.
Ensure that hoses are not kinked and do not come near burners or other areas that will become hot during use.
Before replacing a fuel tank, close its supply valve and turn off the appliance.
If you smell gas, hear a hissing sound, or see a white or ice substance near any connections, immediately close the fuel supply valve, turn off the appliance and remove any other ignition source.
Do not store spare fuel tanks in the vicinity of the appliance.
Compressed gas tanks should be chained securely to a wall for storage.
Tanks should be well maintained, inspected and recertified. If the tank is marked with an “E,” it should be recertified every five years. If marked with an “S,” every seven years and if not marked at all, it should be recertified every 12 years.
For use with tents, propane tanks must be installed on level ground no less than 5 ft. from the structure and secured with a post or tie so that they are not knocked over.
Clean and inspect appliances after rentals and replace hoses and couplers that are damaged or worn.
If a rental store is faced with a customer’s request or site situation you know is not safe, don’t accept it. Speak up and offer an alternative.

This safety tip is provided by ARA Insurance Services, Kansas City, Mo., to help those in the rental industry better manage their risk. For more safety and risk management information, customers of ARA Insurance Services can log on to ReSource. Access is free, so if you haven’t signed up yet, contact your agent or call 800-821-6580.