LPG is now controlled by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 which replaces, among others, the Dangerous Goods Act 1974.
You might find LPG used in the following ways:
- fuel for motor cars, forklifts
- space Heating
- fuel for boilers, ovens, BBQs and furnaces
- in workshops and in the home
These are just some of the typical uses of LPG. If you are involved in these activities read on as the new law could affect your operation.
LPG is classed as a flammable gas. After 1 October 2004, if you want to continue using LPG, the law may require you to have the right Test Certificates. You may need:
- a Location Test Certificate for your premises (previously a Dangerous Goods Licence)
- an Approved Handler Test Certificate for persons handling LPG, and
- an Approved Filler Test Certificate for everyone who fills LPG cylinders.
Location Test Certificates
You will need a Location Test Certificate if you are using and/or storing more than 100 kilograms of LPG in one place. As a general rule, if you hold a Dangerous Goods Licence for your premises you will probably need a Location Test Certificate.
ERMA New Zealand will consider the person in charge to be the user or person at the location and they must ensure the Location Test Certificate is in place. Ownership of an LPG facility may be vested in the user, the gas supplier or some other person. In these circumstances there could be doubt as to who should actually obtain the Location Test Certificate. The user must agree with the supplier or owner of the facility which party is responsible for arranging to get the certificate.
Most domestic installations store less than this and will not need a Location Test Certificate. Typically, domestic installations are supplied by 2 x 45 kilogram cylinders.
For more information about obtaining Location Test Certificates, please refer to the Quick Guide - Location Test Certificates
Approved Handlers
An Approved Handler has to be available if you have more than 100 kilograms of LPG at one place. However, there are situations where an Approved Handler is not required to be present at the site, and common situations are listed at the end of this guide.
For more information about obtaining an Approved Handler certificate, please refer to the Quick Guide - Approved Handlers
When do I need to have all my certificates?
If you already hold a Dangerous Goods licence, ERMA New Zealand will have contacted you to let you know what you have to do. You will need to convert to test certificates following a timetable starting from October 2004 and ending in June 2006. ERMA New Zealand can provide a copy of this timetable if required.
You may apply for your Location Test Certificate and Approved Handler Test Certificate as soon as you are ready.
If you are building a new facility you will need to obtain the necessary test certificates at that time.
If your LPG facility holds more than 1,800 litres (water capacity) in a bulk tank you must have your test certificates by 1 January 2005. If you cannot meet this date, you may submit a plan to ERMA New Zealand for our approval, providing a date by when you will comply.
How to get Test Certificates
You must obtain your Test Certificates from a Test Certifier. To find your nearest Test Certifier, check the register at www.ermanz.govt.nz/search/test-cert-reg.asp or call ERMA New Zealand (0800 376 234) for a list of Test Certifiers to be posted to you.
Common situations using LPG
I have an LPG cylinder installation at my home. How am I affected?
A Location Test Certificate for the LPG is required if the quantity held at your home exceeds 100 kilograms.
You will not need a Location Test Certificate if you only have 2 x 45 kilogram cylinders at your home and also hold 9 kilogram LPG cylinders at the same place (for example attached to outdoor barbeques, or outdoor LPG heaters) if they are kept outdoors and separate from the 2 x 45 kilogram LPG cylinders by at least three metres.
You do not need to be an Approved Handler for an LPG tank or multi cylinder installation of more than 100kgs if it is being used for domestic heating/cooking and you do not 'handle' the LPG; ie you do not connect or disconnect lines or cylinders. You will need to be an Approved Handler if you have more than100 kilograms and you connect and disconnect lines for 45 kilogram (or larger) cylinders.
You must know who to call for help. In an emergency, ring the Fire Service. For straightforward advice ring the Gas Supplier. The numbers to ring should be prominently displayed and readily available.
Mine is a Commercial Installation. What is different?
You do not need to have an Approved Handler at a commercial multi cylinder fuel installation or at reticulated bulk fuel installations of more than 100 kilograms if you do not 'handle' the LPG, ie no connecting or disconnecting of lines or cylinders and you simply turn on the gas to the process or appliance. An Approved Handler is required where the quantity exceeds 100 kilograms and the consumer 'handles' the LPG, for example connects and disconnects cylinders.
The people using the LPG must be given guidance about safe use and handling of LPG and have an operating procedure and information on the safe use of the installation. In an emergency, ring the Fire Service. For straightforward advice ring the Gas Supplier. The numbers to ring should be prominently displayed and readily available.
A Test Certificate for the location is required if the storage exceeds 100 kilograms.
What happens with Cylinders used for Forklift trucks?
A person does not need to be an Approved Handler if taking a single cylinder from a pool of full cylinders and fitting it to a forklift or for other incidental use as the quantity being handled does not exceed 100 kilograms.
If refuelling a forklift with the cylinder still on the machine you do not need to be an Approved Handler as this is the same as refuelling a vehicle.
Nonetheless, persons handling LPG must receive training in the procedure to be followed and be made aware of the hazards of the substance and the activity.
A person filling a forklift cylinder when the cylinder is off the machine must be an Approved Filler, ie hold an Approved Filler Test Certificate.
A Location Test Certificate is required and an Approved Handler must be available where the quantity stored exceeds 100 kilograms.
Who is an Approved Filler?
All persons filling LPG cylinders must be trained and hold an Approved Filler Test Certificate. Training of the Approved Filler can be carried out by a Site Trainer under the LPG Association Cylinder Filling Training Programme protocol, however, the test certificate must be issued by a Test Certifier.
What about Vehicle Refuelling?
An Approved Handler does not need to be present at all times at LPG vehicle refuelling outlets if the employees handling the LPG have been given guidance on the safe use and handling of LPG. The Approved Handler must be contactable for assistance at all times.
Vehicle drivers can self serve LPG providing the vehicle filling station is equipped with dispensers of an approved standard for self filling refuelling. The self filling site must have the self service dispensers clearly identified as such. A clear set of filling instructions must be displayed at the dispenser.
At refuelling outlets without such dispensers, people may still self serve their vehicles provided they have been given training and guidance on the safe use and handling of LPG and the equipment involved.
NOTE
Other chemicals you may use will not be listed in this leaflet. The HSNO Act and Regulations will apply to some of these chemicals already, but for others the new laws may not apply until 2006. For these the old laws will continue to apply for the time being.
You should:
- Check your chemicals to see if the new HSNO law applies to them yet
- Identify and obtain Test Certificates for Locations and/or Approved Handlers for those chemicals that require them
- Contact a Test Certifier if you have any queries about what is required for a particular chemical.
If you hold a Dangerous Goods licence for other chemicals, ERMA New Zealand will have contacted you to let you know what you have to do. You may wish to obtain the necessary Test Certificates for all substances at the same time.
Further information
You can contact a hazardous substance enforcement officer, normally Department of Labour Workplace Group (Occupational Safety and Health Service), in your district.
There are also regional consultants for hazardous substances who can offer independent advice. Refer to:
ERMA New Zealand
PO Box 131, Wellington
Tel: 04 916 2426 or 0800 376 234
Email: hsinfo@ermanz.govt.nz