Open Journal of Safety Science and Technology, 2011, 1, 10 1-107
doi:10.4236/ojsst.2011.13011 Published Online December 2011 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/ojsst)
Safety Knowledge of LPG Auto Drivers and
LPG Tank Drivers
Gargi Bhattacharjee1, Susmita Neogi1, Sudip Kumar Das2
1Home Science De partment, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
2Chemical Engineering Dep artment, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
Received July 30, 201 1; revised November 8, 2011; accepted November 20, 2011
Abstract
The paper deals with the survey about the knowledge of safety during their occupational time in the LPG
auto drivers and tank drivers. A structured questionnaires was developed and used for interview on LPG auto
(N = 150) and LPG tanker (N = 150) drivers. Statistical results show that there is a significant difference on
auto driver’s safety knowledge without training and tanker driver’s knowledge with training at regular inter-
val of time.
Keywords: Auto LPG, Safety Knowledge, Training, Drivers
1. Introduction
In the mid to late 90’s, air pollution has beco me an issue
attracting wide public concern. To alleviate the air pollu-
tion problem, one of the measures identified was to re-
place diesel vehicles with vehicles using cleaner fuel, i.e.,
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which is a readily
available fuel. In an order on July 18, 2008 a Division
Bench of the Calcutta High Court has ordered that only
four-stroke auto rickshaws running on Liquefied Petro-
leum Gas (LPG) will be allowed to ply on Kolkata’s
roads and also order banning all commercial vehicles
older than 15 years. The Bench comprising Chief Justice
S. S. Nijjar and Justice P. C. Ghosh observed that there
would be no conversion of two-stroke auto-rickshaws.
They will have to be replaced by new four-stroke autos
with LPG engines [1].
Auto LPG or Liquefied Petroleum Gas is a generic
name for mixtures of hydrocarbons (mainly propane and
butane) which exists as vapor under ambient conditions
and can be changed into liquid state by applying moder-
ate pressures [2]. Auto LPG is a gas at atmospheric pre-
ssure and normal temperatures, but it can be liquefied
when moderate pressure is applied or when the tempera-
ture is sufficiently reduced. This prop erty makes the fuel
an ideal energy source for a wide range of applications,
as it can be easily condensed, packaged, stored and uti-
lized. When the pressure is released, the liquid makes up
about 250 times its volume as gas, so large amounts of
energy can be st or ed and transported compactly [3].
Safety knowledge or safety education means improve-
ing knowledge, skill, attitud e and morale of the workers.
It means it is a process of systematic instructions and
development of character or mental powers of the work-
ers. It must prevent both unsafe conditions in the work-
ing areas as well as unsafe acts committed by the work-
ers. Safety training alone is the remedy for correcting
unsafe acts of the workers. Safety education is vital and
essential for all accident prevention work in industries. It
is generally true by the evidences that well-trained and
careful men may avoid injury on dangerous work than
that of the untrained and careless man may be injured
under the same condition [4]. The safety educated person
is more likely to regard an accident as being predictable,
preventable, and non-accidental. Hence safety education
plays an important role in the preventive measures. As
knowledge increases, one’s behaviour becomes more in-
tentional, so that unanticipated events are less likely to
occur. The role of safety education is to increase knowle-
dge, thereby decreasing the proportion of unintended
behaviour and increasing the level of anticipation, and
the possibility of avoiding danger [5]. Safety training is
one of the solutions to perform safe work practices and a
tool for motivating the employees to change [6].
2. The Present Study
The present study is conducted to measure safety know-
ledge of the auto LPG users. Survey method was con-

G. BHATTACHARJEE ET AL. 102
ducted through questionnaire and then the responds are
statistically analysed. The objectives of the study are:
1) To determine safety knowledge among LPG auto
drivers and LPG tanker drivers;
2) To find out how safety training increases safety
knowledge of auto LPG users;
3) Creating a general awareness of health and safety
issue on LPG among auto and tanker drivers;
4) To investigate what is the real situation of safety
knowledge among LPG auto and tanker drivers and the
personal attributes of participants like age, educational
qualification, and monthly income.
To fulfil the objectives the Null hypotheses was used
for both cases, i.e.,
1) Safety knowledge of auto drivers on LPG is posi-
tively high without training;
2) Safety knowledge of tanker drivers on LPG posi-
tively low with training.
3. Methods
3.1. Participant and Procedures
This study surveyed on LPG auto drivers and tanker dri-
vers in an around Kolkata and Haldia. The sample size of
auto drivers (N = 150) , tanker dr ivers (N = 150) and to tal
was 300. Statistical analysis conducted on the basis of
the responses of the questio nnaire as shown in Appendix
1 and 2 for auto drivers and tanker drivers respectively.
Initially questionnaires have been prepared, then experts
from M/S Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation,
East Circle, Govt. of India, have corrected the question-
naires and used for survey .
3.2. Sample 1
Data of auto drivers were collected from various LPG
filling stations at Mniktala, Kankurgachi, Sealdah, Sin-
theemore and Silpara in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
With the help of the filling station manager and explain-
ing the aim of the study, the questionnaires were distri-
buted to the LPG au to drivers and they were requested to
fill up the questionnaire.
3.3. Sample 2
The questionnaires were distributed to the tanker drivers
at the M/S IOC Petronas Limited, Haldia, who came to
fill up their tankers. The major route of these tankers are
Haldia to Patna, Raninagar; Kalyani; Paharpur; Durgapur;
Kolaghat; Budge Budge; different parts of Orissa, Assam
and Jharkhand; Baksara, Banaras, Hazimbag, Jamshed-
pur, , Siliguri, Balasore and Kolkata. After explaining the
aim of the study they were asked to fill up the question-
naire. Structured questionnaire was used in the assess-
ment. The participants’ responded to the questionnaire
during their free time. It was presented in English lan-
guage and where respondents with poor literacy skills
had problem understanding the language, there was an
interpreter is explained in their local language.
3.4. Scoring
After collecting the data from the sample the responses
of each subject were scored. In this investigation the
questionnaire of LPG auto drivers consisted of 20 ques-
tions and for LPG tanker drivers consisted 25 questions,
each had two options, “YES’’ and “NO”. Score of 2 was
given for “YES” responses; score of 1 was given for
“NO”. After scoring each question the total score was
computed for each individual subject by scoring up the
item score. Then the scores were tabulated for statistical
analysis. The two questionnaires have different number
of items, so the total score will vary for the two groups of
sample. Subsequently mean will vary because of differ-
rence in total scores.
3.5. Statistical Analysis
After scoring the responses an d co mputin g the total score
for each individual the mean and standard deviation (SD)
were calculated of these scores were computed for LPG
auto drivers and LPG tanker drivers separately. Then the
difference between the means was computed and the t
value for the independent samples of equal sizes was
calculated to see the level of significance.
3.6. Reliability
Reliability is the consisten cy or repeatability of the mea-
sures as collected from the questionnaires for auto and
tanker driver respectively. In this survey the internal
consistency method is used. The internal scale reliability
(Cronbach Alpha) of the questionnaire for LPG auto
driver estimated as 0.47 which is below the acceptable
limit where as for the LPG tanker drivers it was 0.65
which is above acceptable limit of 0.6 [7]. So, it was
decided to keep the questionnaire further in validation in
case of auto driver. The F ratio of the scores of ques-
tionnaire for auto driver was 4.00 which were significant
at p < 0.05 level. Hence, it was decided that the ques-
tionnaire for auto driver is also valid for this study.
4. Results and Discussion
4.1. Auto Driver
After statistical analysis it is shown that in case of auto

G. BHATTACHARJEE ET AL.103
drivers mean score of “YES” and “NO” are 10.45 and
14.77 respectively. The calculated t value is 10.843
which is greater than the tab le value at p < 0.05 level [8].
So, the first null hypothesis is rejected and alternative
hypothesis is accepted. The knowledge of LPG auto
drivers on safety is low, because they did not get any
safety training from any authorities. So, their mean score
of “NO” is gr eater than th e mean scor e of “YES” an d for
these reasons the LPG auto drivers are known little about
safety aspects on LPG. Beside this the other general in-
formation are also important for the measurement of
safety perceptions likes age, income, educational quali-
fication which are also related to occupational satisfac-
tion, accidental risks, emergency responses. Table 1
shows age range of auto drivers. Most of auto drivers’
fall on the age range between 26 - 35 yrs. and maximum
age of auto driver is 73 yrs. Table 2 shows income range
of LPG auto drivers. The maximum income range of
LPG auto drivers is Rupees 5001 - 6000 per month and
highest income is Rupees 15,000 per month. Table 3
shows educational qualifications. The sample was cate-
gorized into four educational groups based on their re-
sponses, basic education, secondary education, higher se-
condary, graduation level. Most of the auto drivers edu-
cational qualification is secondary level (Class V-X).
Table 4 represents the percentage score on safety know-
ledge of LPG auto drivers. This table shows that on ly 3%
drivers acquired 91% - 100% which is high range of per-
Table 1. Age range of LPG auto drivers.
Age range No
15 - 25 16
26 - 35 73
36 - 45 40
46 - 55 9
56 - 65 0
73 1
Table 2. Income range of LPG auto drivers.
Income range No
1000 - 20001
2001 - 3000 11
3001 - 4000 10
4001 - 5000 13
5001 - 6000 40
6001 - 7000 3
7001 - 8000 12
8001 - 9000 10
9001 - 10,000 2
12,000 7
15,000 1
Table 3. Educational qualifications of LPG auto drivers.
Sample Basic
(Class I-IV)Secondary (Class V-X) Higher secondar y (Class XI-XII) Graduation
Auto
driver 16 105 13 6
Mean 0.10 1.4 0.26 0.16
Table 4. Percentage scores on safety knowledge of LPG
auto drivers.
Range of scoresPercentage of score s 
10 - 2017
21 - 30 22
31 - 40 22
41 - 50 22
51 - 60 25
61 - 70 16
71 - 80 13
81 - 90 10
91 - 100 3
centage scores and 17% drivers acquired 10% - 20%
achievement of safety knowledge which is low range of
percentage scores on LPG auto driver. The majority of
scores of the LPG auto drivers falls on between 51% -
60%.
4.2. Tanker Driver
After statistical analysis it is shown that in case of tanker
drivers mean score of “YES” and “NO” are respectively
41.16 and 4.42. The calculated t value is 96.48 which is
greater than the table value at p < 0.05 level [8]. So, the
second null hypothesis is rejected and alternative hy-
pothesis is accepted. The knowledge of LPG tanker dri-
vers on safety is high, because they get safety training
from various authorities at regular interval of time, i.e.,
yearly once or twice. So, their mean score of “YES” is
greater than the mean score of “NO” and for these rea-
sons the LPG tanker drivers knowledge are high about
safety aspects of LPG. Table 5 shows age range of tan-
ker drivers. Most of tanker drivers fall on the age range
between 26 - 35 yrs. and maximum age of tanker driver
in between 56 - 65. Table 6 show s inco me rang e. Tanker
drivers’ maximum income range is rupees 1000 - 2000
per month and highest income is Rupees 7000 per month.
Table 7 indicates that most of tanker drivers educational
level is secondary level (Class V-X). Table 8 repre-
sents the percentage scores on safety knowledge of LPG
tanker drivers. This table shows that 19% tanker drivers
acquired 91% - 100% which is high range of percentage
scores and 1% tanker drivers acquired 40% - 50% achi-

G. BHATTACHARJEE ET AL. 104
Table 5. Age range of LPG tanker drivers.
Age range No.
15 - 25 33
26 - 35 74
36 - 45 31
46 - 55 8
56 - 65 1
Table 6. Income range of LPG tanker drivers.
Income range No.
1000 - 200059
2001 - 3000 40
3001 - 4000 9
4001 - 5000 3
5001 - 6000 2
6001 - 7000 1
Table 7. Educational qualifications of LPG tanker drivers.
Sample Basic
(Class I-IV) Secondary (Class V-X)Higher secondary (Class XI-XII) Graduation
Tanker
driver 10 111 14 1
Mean 0.06 1.48 0.28 0.02
Table 8. Percentage scores on safety knowledge of LPG
tanker drivers.
Range of scores Percentage of score s
40 - 50 1
51 - 60 5
61 - 70 9
71 - 80 32
81 - 90 84
91 - 100 19
evement of safety knowledge which is low range of per-
centage scores on LPG. The majority of scores of the
LPG tanker drivers falls on between 81% - 9 0% .
During the survey many auto drivers told about the
safety problems on their job. They are not trained, so
they are worried about in emergency situation. But tan-
ker drivers are well trained, so they know the primary
emergency preparedness. For auto driver they informed
and gain some knowledge about the general awareness,
health and safety issues on LPG. The real situation is
large quantities of auto LPG use in vehicle at present in
West Bengal particularly in and around Kolkata. The
Government of West Bengal forced recently that all auto
should run by LPG by the law of court but neither the
LPG supplier of the Govt. itself arrange any training
programme for auto drivers. So, their safety knowledge
is very poor. They had no idea about what to do in emer-
gency situation.
5. Recommendations
Some general recommendations on auto LPG operations,
1) Safety should be the prominent place in the training
of anyone who works with LPG. So, first and most im-
portant safety equipment is workers knowledge also to
know the physical and chemical properties of LPG.
2) All LPG operations must be carried out by person-
nel well trained in LPG operations.
3) Engage only trained and competent workers in LPG
filling station and fillin g vehicle related jobs.
4) When working on road sides, ensure safe places for
parking and working on vehicles, e.g., away from drains,
pits and other openings in the ground and all sources of
ignition.
5) Safety equipment like personal protective equip-
ment, safety cloths, goggles etc. to be always use in
working p l a ce to avo i d any damage.
6) Gas detectors to be provided at different locations
of the LPG filling stations. Whenever leak is detected
then the system gives an audible alarm.
7) Avoid the roadside check for leaks and other dam-
ages to the LPG system on the auto rickshaw or tankers.
8) If leak detected do not panic, stop the vehicles and
starts emergency plan, inform local police station, fire
station, emergency medical facilities, public awareness
system, warning people away from the area and also
switch off electricity and all ignition sources.
9) Provides the operator s suitable first aid kit.
10) Phone numbers of the local fire department, emer-
gency medical facility, and other appropriate public safe-
ty agencies to be available to the drivers. Note boo k con-
taining these emergency numbers to be carried out by the
drivers.
11) Smoking to be avoided as it may produce flame or
sparks which may create an accidental situation.
12) Never leave vehicle unattended while in operation
or when set up for operation.
13) Drivers to be advice do not wear clothing made of
synthetic fibres or any other material that tends to pro-
duce static electricity.
14) Drivers to be advice to carry out mock drill at least
once in a year to review and practice emergency proce-
dures.
15) Periodical training for the drivers to be provided
by the oil companies or the Government and also pro-
vides them certificates.
6. Conclusions
A structured questionnaire was developed and used for
interview on LPG auto and LPG tanker drivers to know
the knowledge of safety and emergency preparedness.
Statistical results show that there is a significant differ-

G. BHATTACHARJEE ET AL. 105
rence on auto drivers’ safety knowledge as they were not
received any training and tanker drivers’ knowledge with
training at regular interval of time. A list of recommen-
dations is incorporated for used to train both types of
drivers.
7. Acknowledgements
Authors are very thankful to Mr.Amalesh Dutta, Indian
Oil Petronas Pvt. Ltd., Haldia for his kind help in su rvey
process. Authors are also thankful to Rahul Ghosh,
Sreedip Ghose , Pin aki Na skar, Girija San kar Mundra stu-
dents of B.Tech Chemical Engineering, University of
Calcutta for participating to complete the survey.
8. References
[1] The Hindu News, 2011.
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article1
0826.ece
[2] AUTO-LPG, 2011.
http://www.piponlinesite.com/Safety_Tips_on_Auto_LP
G.PDF
[3] Auto Gas: Gas Stations, 2011.
http://www.iocl.com/Products/AutoGas.aspx
[4] H. W. Heinrich, “Industrial Accident Prevention; A Sci-
entific Approach,” 4th Edition, Mc-Graw Hill Book Com-
pany Inc., New York, 1959.
[5] A. E. Florio and G. T. Stafford, “Safety Education,” 4th
Edition, Mc Graw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1979.
[6] P. S. Ray and P. A. Bishop, “Can Training Alone Ensure
a Safe Workplace?” Professional Safety, 1995, pp. 56-59.
[7] J. F. Hair, R. E. Anderson, R. L. Tatham and W. C. Black,
“Multivariate Data Analysis with Readings,” 4th Edition,
Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, 1995.
[8] V. Volk, “Applied Statistics for Engineers,” McGraw-
Hill Book Company, New York, 1958.
Nomenclature
F: Compare the variance of the two independent sam-
ples;
p: In rejection region, this is the area in the tail beyond
observed value of the test statistics
N: Sample size;
SD: Standard deviation;
t: Judging the significance of the mean of difference be-
tween the two related samples.

G. BHATTACHARJEE ET AL. 106
Appendix 1. Self-constructed questionnaire for LPG auto drivers.
SAFETY INVESTIGATION QUESTIONNAIRE
General information
Name- Age-
Educational Qualification-
Location- Time- Date-
Monthly / Daily income-
Sl. No QUESTIONS YES/NO
1 Do you know the full form of LPG?
2 Do you know why we use auto LPG?
3 Is there adequate supply of auto LP G?
4 Do you know any risks of health for using LPG?
5 Do you know the safety operations of a uto LPG?
6 Did you receive any training before running auto LPG?
7 Do you know how refill the empty container?
8 Did you receive any training for handling any emer gen cies?
9 Does training include hands on experience?
10 Do you know how to diagnose the leakage or any failure of LPG?
11 Is there any technical support available du ring emergencies?
12 Can operators confidentially repor t pr o bl e ms, errors?
13 Is information us e d an d ac te d up o n to minimize risks?
14 Are there sufficient communication resources and personnel to handl e communications during emergencies?
15 Do you know any sign o f leakage?
16 Do you know the procedure to remove the leak cylinder?
17 Do you know the right procedure of maintain the containers?
18 Is station operators and there staff are well trained about the safe use of auto LPG?
19 Do you own the vehic l e?
20 Are you satisfied with Auto LPG?

G. BHATTACHARJEE ET AL.107
Appendix 2. Self-constructed questionnaire for LPG tanker drivers.
SAFETY INVESTIGATION QUESTIONNAIRE
General information
Name- Age-
Educational Qualification-Tank registration no.-
Location- Time- Date-
Monthly/Daily income-

Sl. No. QUESTIONS YES/NO
1 Do you know the full form of LPG?
2 Do you know why we use auto LPG?
3 Is there adequate supply of auto L PG?
4 Do you know any risks of health for using LPG?
5 Are you using any personal protective equipment?
6 Do you know the safety opera t ion s o f aut o LPG?
7 Are you trained on about hazardous nature of LPG?
8 Do you know the procedure of refill/delivery of the tank?
9 Did you receive any training for hand li ng a ny emergencies?
10 Does training include hands on experience?
11 Whether training prog ramme organized periodically?
12 Any instruction booklets/operating manuals provided in l oc al lan gua ge s?
13 Whether important Do’s and Don’ t s displayed prominently?
14 ‘No Smoking’ and other cauti o n s i n g i n l o c a l language displayed at prominent places?
15 Do you know how to diagnose the leakage or an y failure of LPG?
16 Whether gas detector system has been provided in the vehicle?
17 Whether inspection/visual check s are done to detect leaky/defective cylinders?
18 Whether cylinder repair s/ va l ve change etc. are supervised?
19 Is there any technical support ava il ab le d uring emergencies?
20 Whether important telephone no./emergency service center provided for emergency communication?
21 Can operators confidentially report problems , e r rors?
22 Do you know the right procedure of maintain the cylinders?
23 Is station operators and there staff are wel l t rained about the safe use and handle of auto LPG?
24 Whether explosimeter checks are done before releasing th e truck?
25 Do you own the vehicle?