Propane facility inspected, no immediate hazards found

Propane facility inspected, no immediate hazards found

News

By: Sandra Bolan

Simcoe Energy and Technical Services underwent a surprise inspection Aug. 15 by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, as part of the authority’s re-audit action plan.

Although four infractions were noted, none were found to pose an immediate hazard.

According to the authority’s re-audit, Simcoe Energy must have the following issues resolved by Sept. 12:

— gate to facility must be accessible during business hours;
— steel tank shall be kept painted;
— loose fitting rain cap shall be provided on tank relief valve;
— wooden skids are to be removed from cylinder handling area.

In mid-August, the safety authority decided to re-audit 196 propane facilities in Ontario that have a permanent storage capacity of more than 5,000 gallons, following the Aug. 10 explosion at Sunrise Propane in Toronto.

Simcoe Energy has a 30,000 gallon capacity.

“Due to their large storage capacity, these sites pose a greater potential for harm than others, should an incident occur,” according to the safety authority’s Propane Filling Facility Audit Action Plan.

Of the 196 sites re-audited, 108 were found to be in compliance with the authority’s regulations.

At 81 sites, non-compliance issues were ordered for things that didn’t pose an immediate hazard.


Tougher restrictions

Bradford West Gwillimbury council approved a notice of motion put forward by Ward 2 Councillor Del Crake, who, along with James Leduc, represents the ward Simcoe Energy is in.

The motion requests “more stringent regulations, including increased frequency of inspections of all fueling facilities within the Province of Ontario.”

It will be sent to the premier of Ontario, minister of the environment and the Technical Standards and Safety Authority.

“It’s an absolute necessity that everything in this notice of motion come to fruition, so that everyone can feel safe in regards to propane facilities,” Mr. Crake said.

“I think it’s a great start. If we get this done, we’ll have a safe town,” Mr. Leduc said.

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