Leader highlights tools, resources to improve propane safety

Eric Kuster, senior vice president of safety, education and compliance at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), has highlighted industry training program developments at recent meetings and events. LP Gas attended a session he led at the Western Propane Trade Show & Convention in Reno, Nevada. Here’s a look at some of the programs he detailed for attendees.

• Propane autogas basics course: Shows autogas technicians what the propane system is like. This course is meant “to whet their appetite as to what’s really involved with propane autogas vehicles,” Kuster says. “If you have a shop that might be interested, this is a great program to show them and let them evaluate what they need to do to get their technicians engaged with propane autogas.”

• Fire safety analysis: A new online tool that helps propane marketers simplify the process of completing the analysis and meet NFPA 58 requirements. “The big difference is we’re using a vapor cloud explosion model. The old model was using a TNT model,” Kuster says. “We’ve been able to reduce the impact areas from a mile, in some cases, down to 800 ft.” Learn more at propane.com/fsa.

• Virtual reality (VR): The digital simulation tool creates lifelike scenarios for training purposes. PERC hopes a program like VR draws the attention of graduating students and prospective employees. “What we’re trying to do is talk about career development within the propane industry,” Kuster says. “How do you attract young people to come into this industry? One of the ways is to give them technology that they’re used to.”

• New Propane Emergencies program: PERC developed two programs with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC): an operational course and a first responder course. The courses are available through PERC’s Learning Center at propane.com or the IAFC’s training academy at iafc.org. Kuster says the 1.8 million firefighters in the U.S. are ripe for involvement in propane industry training. “I can’t think of anything more critical than having a relationship with those folks who might show up if you’re having an emergency – and having that relationship before the emergency happens,” he says.

Kuster also noted three other programs in development: focused on mobile food facilities, manager training and consumer safety material updates.

Featured photo by LP Gas staff