New campaign shines light on safe gas appliance use

Business owners in the hospitality and catering industry have been urged to prioritise gas safety, following the launch of a campaign in time for the holiday period. It comes after Resources Safety and Health Queensland spotted a trend among small business owners where DIY repairs are being performed on gas cooking equipment instead of using a licensed gas fitter. Resources Safety and Health Queensland Inspector Paul Beaumont said the educational campaign aims to raise awareness and change behaviour, particularly in small businesses so they prioritise gas safety and hire a licensed professional to carry out any gas repairs or installations.

“Only a few months ago we saw an explosion in a commercial kitchen in Robina where the worker was injured, and it could have been much worse. We’ve investigated other incidents where people have received lifelong scarring, and someone was even blinded by a gas explosion in Queensland, simply because they did not take the time to have gas appliances installed by a licensed gas fitter,” Beaumont said.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart described the campaign from RSHQ as “lifesaving”, adding that the education will prevent injuries. “I would urge all hospitality and catering business owners in Queensland to make sure they get professional and qualified people to do the job, and put gas safety on their menu this month,” Stewart said.

RSHQ gas inspectors will be handing out fire blankets to small hospitality businesses across the state over the coming weeks, to encourage conversations about gas safety. The fire blankets feature a QR code which, when scanned, takes the user to the RSHQ website for information on the correct and safe installation of gas appliances.

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