Gas Safety In Work and Accomodation

Bobby and Christi Shepherd, aged six and seven, died when the odourless, tasteless, colourless Carbon monoxide gas from a faulty boiler seeped into their lungs while they were asleep at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel on a Greek island in 2006. This has recently been back in the news due to the media coverage of insurance pay-outs and the travel company, who booked the holiday, being put back in the spotlight about their handling of the case.

Due to the explosive/flammable nature of gas it is vital that all the equipment is installed, maintained  and serviced professionally.  All establishments with accommodation need to consider their own policy and procedures to ensure they meet the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Hazards

• Equipment that is not maintained properly may lead to gas leakage, fires or explosions.
• Poor storage of gas may lead to gas leakage, fires or explosions.
• All works carried out on any gas appliance must only be undertaken by a Gas engineer. Accredited by the Gas Safe Register. Work includes installation, maintenance, servicing, permanently adjusting, repairing, altering or renewing of the appliance, or purging it of air or gas.

Policy and Procedure

The operator is required to ensure the engineer is qualified to carry out the work to be undertaken prior to work commencing. There are different levels of accreditation and therefore this must also be checked as being suitable for the works.

All test certificates must be kept for a period of two years.  The certificate includes:

1. the address of the premises
2. the date on which the flue or appliance was tested
3. details and location of the appliance including make, model and serial number
4. remedial action if necessary
5. name of the service engineer and Gas Safe Register registration number
6. a statement confirming the work complies with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

For all fixed appliances, associated pipe work/flues and portable gas appliances, the Site Manager must ensure that these are maintained in a safe condition that will not cause harm.  Therefore effective planned maintenance must be carried out.

For specific requirements reference must be made to the manufacturer’s instructions for servicing of appliances. The Management will keep a maintenance record including when each gas appliance was checked, a list of the defects found (if any) and the remedial action taken. This information should be recorded in the work equipment register and made available for inspection by authorised officers.

The interval between certified inspections must be no longer than 12 months.

If any appliance is found to be unsafe by the competent person then written confirmation must be forwarded to the Company immediately.  The appliance must be withdrawn from use and a label attached to it stating that it is dangerous.

NB:   It is an offence for the appliance to be used if it has been considered unsafe.