Smoking next to LPG cylinders – a cultural and management failure, not just a rules issue

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During a recent site visit, we found evidence of smoking in proximity to LPG cylinders, despite clear “Highly Flammable / No Smoking” signage. Most concerning was the discovery of a discarded cigarette butt at the cylinder valve itself, precisely where leaks are most likely to occur.

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This isn’t just about one unsafe act. It points to wider cultural and management failures, including:

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• Unsafe behaviours are going unchallenged

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• Controls exist on paper, but not in practice

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• High-risk areas are not being routinely checked

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Routine safety walks and inspections matter. 

 

LPG storage areas should be regularly visited by supervisors and managers, not just audited after an incident. These walks help identify unsafe behaviours early, reinforce expectations, and demonstrate visible leadership on fire safety. Based on what was observed, it is reasonable to assume that other unsafe behaviours may exist elsewhere on site.

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Equally important are:

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1 - Strong fire safety management arrangements — these should be documented and form part of the organisation’s fire safety policy.

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2 - Clear, well-located smoking areas positioned away from hazardous zones. Adopting a complete no-smoking site may also be beneficial, but if poorly managed, it can drive unsafe behaviours, so this decision must be properly considered.

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3 - Ongoing information, instruction, and training are built into a training matrix, with clear accountability for monitoring, review, and oversight.​

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Fire and explosion risks like this are entirely preventable, but only when safety is actively managed and reinforced daily.

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Signage doesn’t create safety — culture and leadership do.

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