GNFS cautions fuel stations’ operators to comply with safety standards

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has cautioned fuel and gas filling stations in the country to comply with fire safety precautions as the harmattan (dry season) approaches.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) James Owusu-Agyei, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Commander of the GNFS said the Service would soon undertake an exercise to clampdown on fuel and gas retail outlets in the country, which had no fire certificates and did not adhere to safety measures and standards.

The exercise was to ensure that all fuel filling stations operating in the country take up precautionary measures to control fire outbreaks and fatalities, before and beyond the Christmas festivities.

The fuel stations are also expected to fix fire extinguishers, fire detecting alarms and dry sand at their operational areas.

ACFO Owusu-Agyei gave the advice when he led a team of fire personnel to inspect some fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) filing stations in the Sunyani Municipality.

The inspection, according to the Regional Fire Commander was an enforcement exercise to among other objectives, ascertain if the operators were observing the fire safety rules and regulations as outlined by the GNFS for health and safety of companies assets, the workers, the general public.

ACFO Owusu-Agyei advised the operators to desist from packing tankers loaded with fuel and gas at the filling stations as it could spark fire outbreaks and urged them to ensure that their attendants at the stations received fire safety education.