The ICL Inquiry

An urgent programme of replacement of buried metallic LPG pipework with polyethylene piping should be implemented.

The Inquiry recommended urgently replacing buried metallic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipework with polyethylene. In August 2016, UKLPG and the Health and Safety Executive reported that suppliers had replaced pipework at approximately 4,500 priority 1 sites by 2015, but explained that longer deadlines applied to lower-risk pipes while regulators addressed remaining resistant customers (UKLPG and Health and Safety Executive, Aug 2016). HM Government had agreed in March 2010 that metallic service pipework in industrial and commercial premises should be replaced (Department for Work and Pensions response, Mar 2010). In August 2009, Judith Hackitt CBE, Chair of the executive, had initially planned to complete the replacement programme by the end of 2015 (Judith Hackitt, Aug 2009).

Research into the safety of polyethylene piping should be conducted to ensure long-term reliability.

The Inquiry recommended research into the safety and long-term reliability of polyethylene piping. In August 2016, UKLPG and the Health and Safety Executive reported that a review of literature and consultations with manufacturers had been unable to provide an adequate assessment of pipework lifetime under liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) use (UKLPG and Health and Safety Executive, Aug 2016). It stated that research assessing pipe samples that had carried LPG remained ongoing to inform future replacement and maintenance strategies (UKLPG and Health and Safety Executive, Aug 2016). HM Government had accepted the recommendation in March 2010, agreeing that sufficient knowledge of replacement materials was necessary (Department for Work and Pensions response, Mar 2010).

There should be prompt and effective communication between all interested parties of all technical developments in matters of LPG safety.

The Inquiry recommended prompt communication among all parties on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) safety. In August 2016, UKLPG and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported that formal meetings to monitor pipework replacement continued three to four times a year and that regular monitoring would continue with a lighter touch, but communication of all technical developments to all interested parties is not mentioned in the sources (UKLPG and Health and Safety Executive, Aug 2016). Earlier, in March 2010, HM Government agreed that effective communication was vitally important to ensuring the continuing safety of small bulk installations (Department for Work and Pensions response, Mar 2010).

Awareness of legal responsibilities should be raised among LPG suppliers and consumers.

The Inquiry recommended raising legal responsibility awareness among liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) suppliers and consumers. In August 2016, UKLPG and the Health and Safety Executive reported that they had delivered a communication programme to advise pipework owners of their responsibilities, noting a survey found 43% of commercial users were aware of their legal obligations (UKLPG and Health and Safety Executive, Aug 2016). The joint report described work directed at consumers, while measures addressing suppliers were not mentioned (UKLPG and Health and Safety Executive, Aug 2016). HM Government (Department for Work and Pensions) had accepted the recommendation in March 2010, stating that the executive would prepare practical advice for users in consultation with UKLPG (Department for Work and Pensions response, Mar 2010).