With Gas Safety Week just around the corner, it’s not just homeowners that need to know the importance of keeping their appliances in good working order. Employers have even more of a responsibility with multiple people potentially at risk if gas equipment is unsafe.   The law Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 The Health and Safety at Work Act covers gas fittings in factories, mines, quarries, agricultural premises, construction site huts, sewage works and gas-fitting testing premises.   Gas appliance fitting and maintenance in these locations must be carried out by a competent person. If any part of these premises is used as domestic, residential or sleeping accommodation, work on gas fittings must be carried out by someone on the Gas Safe Register.   Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 These Regulations cover work on gas fittings, both natural and LPG in other premises; e.g. domestic properties, shops, restaurants, schools and hospitals. In these locations, gas work must be carried out by someone on the Gas Safe Register.   Gas safety checklist   Help your business customers keep safe by informing them of the following checklist – Gas Safety Week presents a perfect opportunity to do so. When choosing a Gas Safe Registered istaller, employers must be made aware that they need to check their ID card and ensure they are qualified to work on the equipment particular to their business.   Top employer gas safety tips:
  • Have gas appliances, pipes and flues checked, maintained and serviced annually
  • Do not use any appliance you know or suspect to be unsafe
  • Check that all rooms with gas appliances have adequate ventilation – don’t block air inlets to prevent draughts, and don’t obstruct flues and chimneys
  • If a leak is suspected, the supply must be turned off immediately and the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 for natural gas. For LPG, call the supplier.
  • If in doubt, evacuate the building and inform the police, as well as the National Gas Emergency Service
  • Do not turn a gas supply back on until a leak has been dealt with by a competent person
  In an industrial setting, the potential risks and consequences are increased:
  • Industrial and commercial plant explosions can be caused by the ignition of un-burnt gas
  • Consider the need for explosion relief and/or flame-failure protection as necessary
  • Make sure that the gas supply is interlocked with the ventilation of the appliance
  • The equipment should be designed, operated and maintained to make sure dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) are not produced. It should not be used in poorly ventilated spaces
  • There should be enough ventilation to remove combustion products
  • Make sure the operators are fully trained – use a safe procedure for purging, lighting up and shutting down the plant
  More gas safety advice for employers can be found on the HSE’s website - Click Here   Make sure you show your support for Gas Safety week but using the #GSW14.   If you’re a domestic installer interested in working on commercial appliances, checkout our domestic to commercial changeover and up-skill packages.
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