Licensees are putting lives at risk by not using drinks dispense gas safely, the largest supplier of the trade has warned.
Pubs risk lethal gas leaks in cellars and exploding cylinders because they are not taking the proper precautions, according to BOC Sureserve. The company will be running a campaign with the MA early next year to warn pubs of the dangers.
BOC product manager Piers Capper said the high churn rate of licensees means many hosts do not know enough about gas safety.
He said a large number of licensees have not had a risk assessment of the gas storage area. This is a requirement of the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997. Pubs that don't carry out an assessment are at a higher risk of gas leaks from cylinders. This can prove fatal - in July two people died after a gas leak in the cellar of a German pub.
Capper also warned of the high number of unsafe cylinders in circulation.
Often cylinders can look fine, but moisture has corroded the inner lining, which can cause an explosion.
Capper said not all gas suppliers carry out the same rigorous safety tests on cylinders as BOC Sureserve - last year the company scrapped 3,000 faulty cylinders.
Capper said licensees shouldn't leave used cylinders around the premises where they are exposed to moisture.
The high number of stolen cylinders makes the problem worse - last year Keg Watch recovered 20,000 cylinders, many of which were damaged or tampered with.
Capper said: "More and more, BOC Sureserve is finding that licensees are not fully aware of the dangers associated with drinks dispense gas and their responsibilities.
"Clearly there is a need for greater vigilance with drinks dispense gasses, and as a responsible supplier for whom safety is key, BOC Sureserve is working with customers and industry partners to ensure licensees are more aware of their safety responsibilities."
He advised licensees to check that their gas supplier is a member of the British Compressed Gas Association, because cylinders supplied by these companies use a positive pressure valve that stops moisture getting inside.