The Health & Safety Kit: Gas Safety

Unless your work specifically involves gas appliances, you may not think gas safety is relevant to you. But if you have a gas boiler, cooker or heaters at your premises, then gas safety should be considered alongside your usual risk assessment.

All employers should comply with the relevant regulations to ensure not just worker safety, but the safety of the public too. The best way to satisfy these requirements is to hire a Gas Safe registered engineer for any installations and to carry out regular servicing for appliances, pipe work and flues.

The biggest hazards associated with gas appliances are usually do to the installation or maintenance – as when properly fitted and kept in a good condition, they very rarely present a danger.

The Hazards

• Fires
• Gas Leaks and Explosions
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The Law

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 places a duty on all employers to ensure all gas appliances, flues, pipe work and safety devices are properly inspected and maintained to ensure they are in a safe condition and don’t present a hazard.

Any installation, inspection, servicing or repair work should be carried out by a competent person, usually a Gas Safe registered engineer.

The time periodic inspections and servicing will vary, although usually they are yearly, depending on the appliance type and the manufacturer instructions, so it’s essential you keep a record of which appliance is due and when.

The regulations and requirements concerning gas safety are enforced by both the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities.

Your Responsibilities

Gas Leaks and Emergencies

• If you think you may have a gas leak, no matter how small, immediately turn off the gas supply and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
• If you are concerned about the risk to employees or the public you should evacuate the building and inform the police.
• The gas supply should not be reconnected until it has been inspected and given the all clear by a competent person.

Appliances, Flues and Pipework

• Always employ a competent Gas Safe engineer to install, service and maintain your gas appliances and fixtures.
• Servicing and maintenance should be carried out regularly, in line with manufacturers instructions.
• All rooms and areas with gas appliances need to have sufficient ventilation.
• Don’t use any appliance or fixture you know or suspect to be unsafe.

Available Training

Here at Health and Safety Training Ltd we are dedicated to providing as much assistance with training to ensure our clients, their employees and the general public are fully protected from all types of risk.

In relation to gas safety, we recommend that all workplaces have a qualified and competent person, able to carry out a risk assessment. Our Risk Assessment Training will ensure you have a responsible person able to investigate, identify and take precautions against all risks, including those relating to gas.

We also provide Fire Safety and Awareness training, which will give your staff the skills and knowledge they need to respond to a gas fire, or fire where gas may be involved, appropriately and safely.

To find out more, or to discuss your health and safety training needs with a member of our team, simply get in touch today.