The government oil companies and their distributors have initiated a countrywide initiative to carry out complimentary safety inspections for LPG domestic gas connections.
As per a statement issued by the All India LPG Distribution Federation, a designated timeframe will be allocated for delivery personnel or mechanics to conduct safety inspections and provide consumers with valuable information regarding safety protocols at their residences.
Chandra Prakash, the president of the All India LPG Distribution Federation, stated that this initiative has commenced in the capital city of Delhi and is being implemented across all regions of the country. The primary objective of this plan is to ensure the provision of domestic gas to all 30 crore households within the upcoming three to four months.
He additionally mentioned that the safety inspection is being conducted solely for the purpose of ensuring consumer safety when utilizing the LPG connection, with no financial benefit involved. This procedure is also a prerequisite for filing claims under third-party insurance in the event of an accident.
Upon arrival at the consumer’s residence, the delivery man or mechanic will conduct an examination of eight safety protocols and provide necessary information to the consumer. In addition to this, the delivery man will inspect all gas-related equipment to ensure the absence of any potential leaks.
In the event that the orange safety hose is deemed unfit for use during the safety inspection, it is possible to obtain a replacement at a reduced rate of ₹150 for a hose measuring 1.5 meters in length.
Underscoring the utmost significance of consumer safety, it was also pointed out that this attempt is not motivated by monetary benefits but is solely focused on guaranteeing consumer safety during the utilization of LPG connections. Additionally, adherence to these safety protocols is crucial for being eligible to file claims on third-party insurance in case of an unforeseen incident.
Domestic LPG cylinder accidents occur for a variety of reasons, such as neglecting to replace the hosepipe regularly, resulting in wear and tear, theft from cylinders, transferring LPG from domestic to non-domestic cylinders, using unapproved or non-standard equipment, mishandling at the consumer’s location, O-ring failures, leaks from the LPG hose or stove, and LPG cylinder explosions due to intense heat from fires caused by various factors.
The Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) offer an extensive Insurance Policy known as the ‘Public Liability Policy for Oil Industries’, which provides coverage for all LPG consumers who are registered with the companies.
The Public Liability Insurance Policy offered by OMCs safeguards against losses resulting from accidents in which LPG is the main catalyst for fire. Presently, the policy includes a Personal Accident cover of ₹6 lakh per individual in the event of death. It also caters to medical expenses amounting to ₹30 lakh per incident, with a maximum limit of ₹2 lakh per person. Moreover, in cases of property damage, the policy extends coverage up to ₹2 lakh per occurrence at the registered premises of authorized customers.
