Energy Ministry launches health and safety Manual for the sector

The Ministry of Energy, on Wednesday launched a Health, Safety, Security and Environment Manual on the sector to ensure positive safety culture in the energy sector.

The Manual, which provides basic requirements to achieving a paradigm shift for a positive safety culture in the energy sector was put together in collaboration with sector agencies, industry players and academia.

Launching the Manual, Deputy Energy Minister in charge of Petroleum reiterated the need for safety measures to be maintained in the sector, especially in the distribution and retail of Liquified Petroleum Gas and refined petroleum products in the country.

According to him, there should be no way the safety of citizens should be compromised over profit by fuel operators in the country.

“Never under any circumstances put profiteering over safety of customers”, he added.

Dr Amin advised operators of fuel stations to as part of safety measures recruit safety officers at various fuel stations to ensure all safety protocols are observed to avoid customers and workers being exposed to danger.

 Mohammed Amin Adams noted that Government is much concern about the safety of citizens in the downstream sub-sector and has undertaken measures to ensure safety in communities these fuel stations operate

He further noted that the Cylinder Recirculation Model will be piloted from July in Obuasi Oforikrom in the Ashanti Region where customers will now go to cylinder exchange points to exchange filled cylinders with empty ones.

With regards to the upstream industry, the Minister said the sector has greater safety issues, hence by law every operator in the oil and gas sector is required to submit health and safety plan as part of their Plan of Development submitted to Government before they are considered to operate in the country’s upstream industry.

These measures, the minister said are geared towards having a sustainable industry that is subject to international best practices in the sector.

 The Deputy Minister indicated that the Ministry has also designed a climate change Smart Energy Action Plan to ensure compliance of government institutions in the energy sector to international climate protocols.

Dr Amin directed all regulators in the sector to lead a successful implementation of the manual in collaboration with key industry players to ensure the goals of the safety manual are attained.

Prepared by the Communications Unit