Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Liquefied petroleum gases

Topic index

Overview

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which includes propane, butane, and mixtures of these gases, is used as heating, cooking, and auto fuel.

LPG is heavier than air and will flow along floors and tend to settle in low spots, such as basements. This could cause an explosion if the mixture of LPG and air is within its explosive limits and there is an ignition source. People also risk suffocating as the gas displaces air and reduces the oxygen concentration. People can also be exposed to LPG by breathing it in, skin contact, and eye contact. Other workplace hazards associated with LPG include excess pressure in storage containers and improper use of safety devices, regulators, electrical installations, and other potential sources of ignition.

LPG is generally stored as a liquid, in steel vessels ranging from small gas canisters to large gas cylinders and storage tanks.

All available content

  • References
    • Rules with requirements
      We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
      English  05/10/2019

Borrow from the Resource Center

Watch Online

  • English
    • Propane Safety Discussion
      Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which includes propane, butane, and mixtures of these gases, is used as heating, cooking, and auto fuel.
      Language: English   Length: 11:09  
  • Spanish
    • Seguridad con el propano
      Propane Safety Discussion
      El gas licuado de petróleo (GLP), que incluye propano, butano y mezclas de estos gases, se utiliza como combustible para calefacción, cocina y automóviles.
      Language: Spanish   Length: 11:09  

Additional Resources


 

Related topics