Litro Gas receives ISO 45001: 2018 for Occupational Health and Safety

Awarding the ISO 45001:2018 certification (from left): Litro Gas Terminal Lanka Director Operations Pushpakumara Edirisinghe, SGS Lanka Business Manager – Certification and Business Enhancement Chamika Wimalasiri, Litro Gas Lanka and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka Chairman and CEO Anil Koswatte, Litro Gas Lanka Director Health, Safety and Environment Jayantha Basnayake

Litro Gas has always been conscious of its national responsibility as the country’s industry leader in the LPG sector. For the company, safety and health are key elements that are prioritised across its multi-channel operation. This gives further impetus to its unique positioning as a state-owned entity which has strong partnership with the private sector channel partners. 

In recognition of its outstanding commitment to Occupational Health and Safety, Litro Gas was recently awarded ISO 45001: 2018 by the International Organization for Standardization of Geneva, Switzerland. This affirms compliance with the globally ratified Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems recognised as the industry standard worldwide.

In 2018, Litro Gas was awarded the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification for its effective Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) management system.

“Safety forms the cornerstone of our entire operation,” says Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka Ltd. Chairman and CEO Anil Koswatte.

“We uphold the highest quality standards across all our systems which is paramount to what we do. Safety in fact forms the very core of our operations, ensuring a seamless delivery of quality to our consumers.”

Litro Gas believes that their newest standards affirmation reinforces the company’s consistent processes of ensuring industry specific and globally accepted Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) management systems that assure the safety of its employees, customers and the entire community. 

“We have in place a world-class risk assessment control system that assures the safeguarding of our people, the environment, our assets and the interests of our stakeholders. With ISO 45001:2018, we have enhanced this process, adding more value to our business,” he adds.

Commenting on the award, Litro Gas Director – Health, Safety and Environment Jayantha Basnayake says that this recognition reiterates the safety protocols deployed by the company in meeting the highest possible safety and health standards. 

“Operating as we do in the energy sector, safety and health are considered key elements. The LPG industry is based on observing multi standard procedures that are implemented under stringent guidelines set by global and local LPG industry standards and practices and governing laws.”

Having been recently feted with the SLS 1672:2020 COVID-19 safety compliant standards by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, Litro Gas upholds the unique level of service delivered seamlessly to customers through the pandemic, says Basnayake. “We understand the importance of managing our operations to meet the highest possible standards while ensuring a sustainable presence within the wider social and environmental context. The company constantly focuses on continually training all the channel members, bulk and commercial customers on LPG related safety rules, regulations and processes,” he adds.

In recognition of its exceptional commitment towards maintaining optimum health, safety and environment systems, Litro Gas became the first company in the oil and gas sector to be feted with the All island Overall Excellence Bronze Award at the National Occupational Safety and Health Excellence Awards, 2018.

Litro Gas operates one of Asia’s leading and most efficient LPG storage facilities at Kerawalapitiya and Hambantota. An island-wide network of 37 distributors, approximately 1,500 home delivery hubs and 11,000 points-of-sale locations power the company’s reach throughout the country.

Litro Gas leads the LPG market in Sri Lanka with a 75% market share and a turnover of Rs. 45 billion. The majority of shares in Litro Gas are owned by the General Treasury through the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, yet Litro Gas is managed as a unique corporate enterprise, making the company an exceptional entity in the business world.

The company views the ISO certification as a key component in their drive towards creating greater significance and sustainability. “Sustainability is a crucial factor that drives every aspect of our operation – it adds value to our supply chain, our stakeholders, our employees, our key stakeholders and the community at large,” Basnayake says in conclusion.