Industry news
Liquid gas pipes to be replaced
Posted Mon, 22 Mar
All metal pipes which carry liquid petroleum gas underground will be replaced, the Government has said as it responded to a report on a factory explosion which killed nine people in Glasgow almost six years ago.
The explosion at the ICL Plastics factory in May 2004 also left 33 people with serious injuries - it was an "avoidable disaster", according to Lord Gill, who presided over an inquiry into the blast. It was caused by a build-up of leaking gas from pipes buried under the ground which ignited.
Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "All commercial buried metallic liquefied petroleum gas pipework will be replaced."
The Health and Safety Executive said replacing similar pipes with polyethylene will "substantially reduce the risk", according to the Government. Replacement work is already under way. Metallic pipes which carry the gas in "higher-risk premises" will be switched by 2014 and such piping in all industrial and commercial properties will be replaced by 2016.
Ms Cooper added: "We will also take steps to raise awareness amongst LPG users of their responsibilities within the existing legislative framework and ensure they comply with safety standards, underpinned by appropriate enforcement activity."
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