Let’s Give Our Propane Delivery Drivers a Hand!

Scott Richardson
Energy Division Manager
 

Plus tips to help keep them safe and make propane deliveries smooth this winter

SNOWY WEATHER SHOWED UP earlier this year than we’ve seen in the past, kicking off our winter heating season. With the cold officially here, we want to recognize the hard workers of Key Cooperative who will bring warmth and comfort to so many during the days ahead.

Our propane delivery drivers will work up to six or seven days a week if needed during the coldest days of winter to make sure everyone on their route gets the much-needed propane to heat their homes, run their businesses or keep their livestock warm. During the holidays, families will have days off, sitting around their fireplaces and spending more time at home together. Our propane drivers will be out on the roads, keeping those fireplaces lit. After a fresh snow, they will be out dragging their delivery hoses to ensure tanks are full for hot showers, warm meals and dry clothes.

Our delivery drivers make our lives and homes a little more comfortable when they stop by, and we’d like to say thank you! We also ask that you help keep them safe and make deliveries as smooth as possible this winter heating season by following these tips.

Keep your driveway clear of snow and ice

• To ensure safe access to your propane tank, please keep snow and ice cleared from your driveway and sand all inclines. A propane delivery truck is approximately two feet wider than a passenger car and much taller, so please keep any trees/bushes that line your driveway trimmed, including low-hanging branches. If our delivery person is unable to navigate your driveway without obstruction, we will not be able to fill your tank, which could result in you running out of gas.
• If you have a hill at the start, middle or end of your driveway, please apply salt or ice melt on the slope if it is wet from snow melting, covered with packed snow or has any ice on the surface. Please also apply salt or ice melt when conditions are only wet but temperatures are expected to drop below freezing. Hills, even when small, can be hard for us to climb with a heavy propane truck.

Clear a path to your tank

• Even if there is no snow, whenever possible make sure there is a clear walking path at least three to four feet wide in as close to a straight line as possible from the parking area to your tank. Delivery hoses are heavy, especially the farther our drivers get from their trucks, making it hard to navigate tight spaces. The more room you give them, the better for guaranteeing a safe delivery.
• Clear a walking path or tramp down the snow in a path that is safe to walk to your tank. Remember our drivers can’t see what is under the snow as they walk to your tank. In the past, they have discovered sharp objects, slippery pieces of metal and tripping hazards. These and other obstructions could cause our drivers to be injured and interrupt your important delivery.

Keep equipment clear of snow and ice

• To prevent a gas leak, please keep your propane tank, equipment and piping clear of snow and ice accumulation. The weight of these elements could eventually break gas connections.

Keep gas appliances clear of snow and ice

• To avoid gas fumes becoming trapped in your home, please make sure your chimney and rooftop, as well as all gas appliances vented through the roof or walls, remain clear of snow and ice. Should snow or ice cover a vent, the appliance may stop operating.

Mark the location of underground tanks

• Please mark the location of your underground tank and provide a clear pathway. This will aid our efforts to keep you supplied with gas all winter. Do not disconnect your tank
• Never disconnect your tank and hook up a spare or a small tank to get by. When a propane tank runs out of gas or is disconnected, the piping system must be checked to make sure there are no leaks caused by the interruption.

Click to view.