Airbags/Network Rail.. I don’t think those analogies work.
Oohh no sir. Liability is never that simple I’ve seen Perry Mason you know.
The safety coupling on an LPG filler is there as a protection from a basic human handling error, designed because of the way you use an LPG filler. The only way a garage can sell the LPG fuel is if they have that coupling in place. Legally there because the possibility of an unintentional driveaway is great. You do not hold the pump like petrol you walk away and stand pushing a button as much as 10 feet (10 whole feet) away allowing your mind to wander to other more interesting things. I bet she was thinking of me.. Bless her!
The benefit of having the coupling is that they can then make a profit from selling a dangerous fuel without an attendant.
The cost for them of having that coupling is that occassionaly they will need to replace the coupling because of basic human handling error. (They knew this when deciding to sell LPG)
The ins and outs of the safety mechanism for the companies legal responsibility is not my concern. It worked and saved a disaster.. everyone is happy. This is part of their business cost.
If my Gran stumbled and fell on an escalator (an expected basic human error) and I quickly hit the safety stop button to save her from getting mangled to a pulp by the innerworkings of the machinery. The shopping centre can’t then charge me £300 for some strange safety cut off switch.
If someone has a fire exit door and the fire exit door got damaged by using it while in a fire exit situation. Can the owner of said fire exit door claim that the person owes money for the damage to that fire exit door.
I think I’m onto a winner..