Gas Safety. Installation and Use Regulations 1998
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
Keywords Gas, Health and safety
An Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) has been published by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC)which gives practical guidance on the Gas Safety (Installation and Use)Regulations 1998, which came into force on 31 October 1998.
The new ACOP, Safety in the Installation and Use of Gas Systems and Appliances, will be of interest to everyone affected by the regulations, including those installing, servicing or maintaining gas fittings, as well as suppliers and users of gas.
Importantly, the ACOP contains for the first time detailed guidance on the duties of landlords. These include requirements to maintain gas fittings and flues in a safe condition and have annual safety checks carried out on gas appliances and flues. This work must be carried out by a gas installer registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI).
Announcing the ACOP, Alun Williams, head of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Gas Safety Review Division, said:
Publication of the ACOP represents a key stage in HSC/E's ongoing campaign to raise standards of gas safety. The ACOP gives practical advice on the new regulations, which should make it easier for everyone to understand their legal responsibilities and the action they need to take in order to comply. This publication will play an important part in our drive to reduce incidence of gas-related CO poisoning,which tragically still claims around 30 lives each year. I am sure that the new ACOP will be welcomed by all concerned, and like its predecessor will soon become a bestseller.
The new regulations and ACOP coincide with HSC's 1998/1999 gas safety awareness campaign, which includes advertising in the classified, regional and ethnic press, student magazines and on the radio. The campaign is focused on drawing the public's attention to the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from poorly-installed or badly-maintained gas appliances and flues.
Copies of the Approved Code of Practice, Safety in the Installation and Use of Gas Systems and Appliances, 2nd ed., L56, ISBN 0 7176 1635 5, are available, price £10.95,from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS. Tel: 01787 881165; Fax:01787 313995.
General gas safety enquiries: Freephone HSE's Gas Safety Advice Line: 0800 300 363.
Public enquiries: call HSE's Infoline. Tel: 0541 545500, or write to: HSE Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ.
HSE press releases can be accessed on the Internet: http://www.open.gov.uk/hse/press/press.htm
