We struggle with our own New Year’s resolutions, but it doesn’t always mean we can’t offer advice about resolutions for others.

Yes, we are those types of people. (Not really. Maybe.)

As our friends at the ASSE and Professional Safety magazine have been ending 2015 with some brief articles giving us tips and reminders about safety heading into 2016 so we can meet our professional New Year’s resolutions to make the next year safer than this last one, I have been writing about a few items that appeared in the November issue of PS that can be helpful and useful as we head into the new year.

[Image courtesy of Flickr user Sonny Abesamis via a Creative Commons license]

[Image courtesy of Flickr user Sonny Abesamis via a Creative Commons license]

There was the item about safety trends for the new year, another about making sure that we take care of our contractor or temporary worker help, and others about handling hazardous materials and reminders of how to properly use flame-resistant clothing to ensure that you don’t get burned.

This time around, I thought I would write about an item that covered safety for those who work in those food trucks that we often see outside office buldings in busy downtown areas. Food trucks can be fun, and they often can have some very unique foods that you may not find in restaurants nearby. But of course, these trucks have safety risks that can be vital not just to workers but also to those who consume the food. In this case, the safety item will focus on the food-truck workers themselves, giving some safety tips aboir working around propane and portable electricity generators that many of these trucks rely on to run their equipment.

Kickin’ Some Gas

When handling propane inside a food truck, here are a few pieces of advice to keep in mind:

  • It is always a good idea to have a professional available to hook up a new propane tank and properly dispose of a used one. Don’t take chances with these, as these tanks are in very small confined spaces, and doing something even a little wrong leads to a gas leak, and in a small space that can be highly dangerous.
  • When working around gas like propane, always make sure there is plenty of ventilation so fresh air circulates through the work area.
  • Make sure workers know what propane smells like so a leak can be dectected.
  • Don’t be a hero when a leak is detected, even if you find the source quickly. Always contact the supplier and/or the installer and stop using or do not use the affected appliance until the leak is fixed by a professional. Leave the area as quickly as you can.

Don’t Generate Shock

Whether combined in a cconfined space with propane tanks or operated by themselves, portable electric generators certainly have their own safety concerns considering how much electric power can be generated by such small units. Here is what you need to know or remember about working with these electric power sources:

  • To be safe, never directly connect a generator with mobile kitchen appliances or equipment. Only in the case of a professionally installed and grounded transfer switch would it be safe to do. When it doubt, however, leave it out.
  • Always leave the generator outside the truck when it’s in operation.
  • Always have carbon monoxide detectors inside the truck. These generators can spew out the gas at high levels, and you certainly don’t need that inside the truck of any reasonable concentration.
  • Have a fully charged fire extinguisher near the generator.

There is also safety advice from the International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA) which includes getting proper and periodic inspections of gas connections and portable generators, including inspections whenever a propane cylinder is changed or replaced.

There is much more information at this link.