Unsafe and illegal LPG cylinders

Background

WorkSafe has concerns about unsafe and illegal LPG cylinders in the Geelong and Colac Otway Shire regions. The cylinders have been in commercial and domestic premises.

WorkSafe's concerns include the:

• grinding off and obliteration of manufacturer markings
• alteration of cylinders owned by other suppliers
• refilling of cylinders that have expired test dates

Australian Standards set out the requirements and procedures for gas cylinder inspections. They also specify the marks that must be stamped on cylinders that have passed an inspection or test. The marks are unique. They are used to identify and trace cylinders.

Australian Standards that apply to LPG cylinders include:

• AS 2030.5: Gas cylinders, Part 5: Filling, inspection and testing of refillable cylinders
• AS 2337.1: Gas Cylinder Test Stations: Part 1, General Requirements, Inspections and Tests

Under AS 2030.5, workplaces that store or transport gas cylinders must ensure each gas cylinder has a current inspection mark. The mark must be in line with the requirements of AS 2030.5.

AS 2030.5 also states that manufacturer marks on cylinders must not be obliterated.

Identifying hazards

Illegally altering LPG cylinders or tampering with them damages the cylinders. It can make them unsafe. 
Carefully inspect cylinders for signs of tampering. If you find signs of tampering or have doubts about the cylinder, contact a reputable gas supply company. The company can exchange the cylinder for one that complies with requirements.

Filling damaged or out-of-date cylinders is illegal and can be dangerous. The integrity of the cylinder cannot be confirmed. LPG cylinders out of test date must not be filled until they are tested and restamped. Testing and restamping must be by an approved gas cylinder test station.

Standards Australia operates the approved gas cylinder test station scheme. Test stations must comply with the AS 2337 series. The AS 2337 series sets out:

• how test station owners carry out LPG cylinder inspections 
• the mark that must be stamped on cylinders that pass an inspection or test

LPG cylinders need to be inspected and tested to confirm they can withstand the working pressure or stress of holding compressed gas.

Cylinders that cannot take the pressure or stress can leak. Leaks can lead to fire, explosion, injury or death.

LPG cylinders require regular checks and must have a current test date stamp. If the test date stamp is out of date, it is not current.

A cylinder that is out of date must not be refilled until it is tested and restamped.

Only approved gas cylinder testing stations can test and restamp LPG cylinders.

When do LPG cylinders need to be tested and inspected?

LPG cylinders require testing by an authorised tester:

• every 10 years for cylinders with: 
  • removable cylinder valves, and 
  • equal to or greater than 5.5kg water capacity with internally fitted self-closing valves which prevent internal inspection
• every 15 years if the cylinder is equal to or greater than 100kg water capacity 
• if they have any signs of damage or defects
• if they have not been inspected and tested at the required intervals

How to check the test date on an LPG cylinder

The test and inspection date is usually stamped into the cylinder collar. Figure 1 shows where to find test and inspection date information on an LPG cylinder.

What to do if the test date is not current or the cylinder is damaged

If the test date is not current or the cylinder is damaged, contact a reputable gas supply company. Arrange for the company to exchange the cylinder for a cylinder that complies.

Note: LPG cylinders must only be filled if undamaged and within the 're-test' date range.

LPG cylinder inspections and testing

Suppliers need to use an approved test station for cylinder testing. The test station must be accredited by Intertek SAI Global. Approved test stations inspect and test cylinders in line with Australian Standard AS 2337: Gas cylinder test stations.

Intertek SAI Global can provide information about approved test stations.

How do test stations ensure cylinders are safe to use?

The testing station will look to:

• confirm the cylinder's expiry date
• degas the cylinder
• inspect the cylinder
• inspect and replace the valves
• stamp the cylinder with the test station mark and new re-test date, if the cylinder passes the inspection and test

Legal duties

Manufacturers and suppliers of dangerous goods have statutory obligations. They include obligations under the Dangerous Goods (Storage & Handling) Regulations 2022 to ensure dangerous goods, including LPG cylinders, are only sold and supplied in compliant packages.