Gas explosions are one of the most common causes of residential fires and related injuries and deaths in the US. These incidents can occur not only in the home but also in industrial areas and in regular workplaces. Each year, gas explosions lead to significant amounts of property damage as well as serious injuries or death. Here, we want to discuss how you can help recognize and prevent gas leaks in your home and workplace.

Preventing Gas Leaks as an Employee

If you work in an industry that utilizes any type of gas in the workplace, your employer should provide safety training related to how to operate the gas-related equipment as well as how to recognize the signs of a gas leak. Employees are asked to stay vigilant in their day-to-day operations and remain alert at all times.

Some of the main ways that employees can stay safe are by using visible markers to warn other employees or bystanders of buried gas pipes. When digging or excavating, workers should look carefully for these markers to avoid striking any underground gas line.

In the workplace, there should be someone responsible for checking all gas pipelines for leaks, damage, or corrosion. Regular inspection and maintenance are absolutely vital. Anytime an employee notices something amiss, they should notify their employer. Additionally, an employer should install various types of detectors in the workplace that can recognize when a leak has occurred.

Preventing Gas Leaks as a Home or Business Owner

Gas leaks and explosions can occur in residences and local businesses as well. In fact, gas explosions have caused catastrophic injuries throughout this country, including amputations, the loss of eyes, major facial trauma, significant burns, broken in dislocated balance, traumatic brain injuries, and even death.

Some of the main steps that home and business owners could take to help avoid gas leaks and explosions include the following:

• Allowing trained experts to install and maintain gas appliances and equipment.
• Scheduling annual or semi-annual professional inspections of gas appliances, furnaces, vents, and lines.
• Installing carbon monoxide or methane detectors in every main room or area of the business or home.
• Ensuring there is at least one fire extinguisher per floor in an office or home.

If you are a tenant in a building, you should ask your landlord about the steps they have taken to prevent gas leaks. If they do not provide a satisfactory answer, or if you notice any safety violations in your home, you should notify safety authorities in your particular municipality.

What to do if You Suspect or Detect a Gas Leak

If you believe that you have a gas leak in your home, office, or workplace, you need to evacuate the area immediately. Do not turn on any lights or any other electrical appliance on your way out of the building. You need to call 911 and report the suspected gas leak and make sure that nobody else goes into the building while you are awaiting emergency authorities. If you can, notify those people buildings around you about the possible gas leak so they can evacuate. Explosions have been known to affect not only the building where they originate but also the surrounding buildings.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a gas explosion, contact the Houston gas explosion attorneys at The Doan Law Firm. Free consultations.