Page 39 - Gi_September2019

igem news

LARGE BUSINESS FORUM

STAYING SAFE DURING 2 Stop work if there is a risk of damage
IGEM website with links on the Gas
Safe Register website.

BUILDING PROJECTS to existing gas appliances, flues,
pipework or meters – get advice
from Gas Safe Register or a Gas Safe
registered engineer.
3 Employ a Gas Safe registered engineer
to make the gas installation safe
during the project.
4 Employ a Gas Safe registered engineer
to check the affected installation once
work is complete.
5 Examples of building projects that
could affect the safety of existing gas
installations may include:
Roofing
Kitchen refurbishments
Cavity wall insulation
Cladding
Replacing/blocking permanent
air vents
Fitting extract fans or re-circulatory
To coincide with Gas Safety Week 2019, IGEM’s Large Business ceiling fans
Forum (LBF) is encouraging gas professionals to spread the Reducing chimney heights
word among fellow tradespeople of the dangers of interfering Building extensions
with existing gas installations when working in buildings. To Fitting double glazing
Scaffolding
coincide with this, the forum has released new guidance to help Examples of existing gas installations
tradespeople ensure they do not contravene Regulation 8 of the or equipment that could become unsafe
Gas Safety Installation & Use Regulations (GSIUR) L56 if disturbed, damaged or affected by
building work, may include:
Gas pipework
THE GAS SAFETY INSTALLATION compromise gas safety. The regulation Gas meters
and Use Regulations place legal duties also prohibits any work on a gas fitting or LPG storage cylinders/tanks
on all trades to keep gas installations associated flue/ventilation system which Gas appliances
safe. When businesses and tradesmen would result in danger to any person.” Chimneys/flues
undertake planned or responsive IGEM’s Large Business Forum (LBF) Ventilation systems
property work that could affect the is focusing on Regulation 8 of the Gas The LBF, in collaboration with wider
safety of existing gas installations, Safety Installation & Use Regulations industry, has produced a simple risk
such as roofing, plumbing, building, (GSIUR) for Gas Safety Week 2019. assessment for project managers who
refurbishment, etc., they have legal This campaign is aimed at helping may not be gas competent. In addition,
responsibilities and obligations to be businesses that may in some way affect they have supplied a technical
observant and to ensure their work gas fittings, such as construction firms, survey (risk assessment) for Gas Safe
does not affect the safety of gas fittings. to ensure they keep gas users safe. registered competent engineers. It is
Disturbing or damaging gas This initiative is supported by IGEM, extremely important all surveys and
appliances, flues, pipework or Heating & Hot Water Information risk assessments are recorded and
ventilation could affect safety, cause Council (HHIC), Association of held on file for retrieval.
harm to workers, gas users and the Plumbing & Heating Contractors
public, by creating gas leaks, fires, (APHC), Gas Safe Register and Health & For gas safety advice or to find or
explosions or carbon monoxide Safety Executive (HSE) and is designed check a gas engineer, visit the Gas Safe
poisoning risks. to be an ongoing process. Register website at gassaferegister.co.uk.
Businesses and tradesmen, e.g., Alongside this, Gas Safe Register Alternatively, call the free helpline on
builders, handymen, window/ventilation has produced a targeted factsheet for 0800 408 550.
or cladding installers, etc., must ensure gas users who employ tradesmen to
the work they do doesn’t compromise gas undertake work in their property with The Large Business Forum has
safety – or they could face prosecution. an aligned message. produced two example risk assessments
In short, Regulation 8 of the GSIUR Steps to take to keep gas safe during to demonstrate how their guidance
states: “This regulation prohibits anyone building projects: should be applied. These, along with the
from carrying out any alteration to 1 Risk assess the project (and record guidance, can be found on the new Large
premises in which a gas fitting or storage findings) before work starts. Risk Business Forum page of IGEM’s website
vessel is already installed which could assessment forms are available on the www.igem.org.uk.

39

IGEMNews_LBF.indd 2 15/08/2019 17:51