Top Retailers share tips for safe operations

This year’s Top Retailers answered this question: What is one safety tip that others will benefit from knowing? Here’s what they shared.

⦁ “Don’t let customers run out of propane. Do this by understanding degree-days and using remote tank monitor systems. When we focus on this, everything else runs smoothly. Customer runouts cause everything else to fall apart once you get behind, so don’t let that happen.” – New York retailer

⦁ “Always make sure pressure tests are completed properly and documented.” – Pennsylvania retailer

⦁ “Train, train, train.” – Minnesota retailer

⦁ “Have qualified drivers.” – Michigan retailer

⦁ “If it’s not documented, it wasn’t done.” – North Carolina retailer

⦁ “Never rush the first five minutes. The first five minutes on-site can prevent the next five hours of incident response.” – Minnesota retailer

⦁ “The importance of keeping the area around the propane tank clean and landscaped. Tank maintenance helps to keep homeowners and propane delivery people safe from trips, falls and hidden dangers. In the summer months, snakes and other wildlife can enjoy a hidden environment under the tank, surprising the homeowner or delivery person. During the winter months, ice and snow can cause treacherous access to the tank. With minimal maintenance, everyone can stay safe, ensuring that deliveries can be made and tanks can stay full.” – Pennsylvania retailer

⦁ “Fostering open communication and accountability at every level. Encouraging employees and customers to speak up about concerns, combined with regular training, routine inspections and adherence to safety standards, helps prevent issues before they become incidents.” – Minnesota retailer

⦁ “Take every opportunity to inspect and perform leak checks on older/existing accounts. You never know what has been added or changed.” – Michigan retailer

⦁ “Safety should be a top priority and part of daily conversations with all team members. Policies and procedures should be clear and consistent, documented, and communicated often. It takes time and effort to build a safety culture, but over time it strengthens awareness and changes behaviors.” – Virginia retailer

⦁ “Every ‘smells gas/leak call’ needs to be taken care of ASAP.” – Wisconsin retailer

⦁ “Regularly inspect and maintain propane equipment.” – Oregon retailer

⦁ “Utilize the PEP (PERC Education Program).” – Mississippi retailer

⦁ “No matter how big or small the company, always put safety at the top of your list. We’ve invited state tank regulators to our site, fire safety officials for a site review and our insurance carrier, EMC, for site analysis and grading. We received top honors, no suggestions or recommendations by the safety auditor.” – South Dakota retailer

⦁ “The more often that you do your safety training, the easier it is to keep up with, and your employees retain the knowledge at a better rate.” – Texas retailer

⦁ “Don’t underestimate the importance of a good dash cam.” – Massachusetts retailer

⦁ “Leave things how you would want them left at your home.” – Tennessee retailer

⦁ “When in doubt, shut it down.” – New York retailer

⦁ “Be sure to keep all of your paperwork correct when it comes to pressure tests.” – Wisconsin retailer

⦁ “Haste makes waste.” – New York retailer

⦁ “Safety is a behavior, and all leaders must find a way to engage their employees in a way that creates buy-in. Leaders must lead by example and drive a culture of strong safety behaviors.” – Florida retailer

Featured homepage image by LP Gas staff

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