Issue Date:  -  Monday, 10 November 1997

Gas warning

With summer approaching, a warning against carrying gases and fuels in vehicles was issued today by WorkSafe Western Australia.

The chances of volatile gases and flammable fuels igniting in sun-heated vehicles was high, said WorkSafe WA Executive Director Peter Shaw today.

A plumber was killed when his van exploded in Sydney a few months ago. He had opened the van door with a cigarette in his hand," Mr Shaw said.

"It is believed liquefied petroleum gas and oxyacetylene gases in the van ignited."

Mr Shaw said many tradesmen carried LPG and other gases in work vehicles, and many other people carried cans of petrol and other hazardous substances.

Containers could leak into the interior of vehicles, causing dangerous build-up if the vehicle was left unventilated.