gas safe NEWS 2009
The great gas switchover - Gas Safe Register replaces
CORGI
30th March 2009
Brits too trusting when it comes to gas safety
From 1 April 2009, Gas Safe Register replaces the CORGI gas
registration scheme in Great Britain* and launches a campaign to
make the nation gas safe. New research from Gas Safe Register
reveals that when it comes to gas safety,
Brits are far too trusting.
Alarmingly, over half of Great Britain’s population said they
took it on trust that their gas engineer was properly registered
and never checked that they were. A trust which if broken can make
the difference between life and death.
With 14 people dying from carbon monoxide
(CO) poisoning last year due to badly installed, repaired and
maintained gas appliances, keeping the public safe is Gas Safe
Register’s top priority. The ‘make Britain gas safe’ message is
simple. Be safe, use a registered
engineer and always check the card.
Pete Eldridge, chief executive of Gas Safe Register said: “As
the new hallmark for gas safety in Great Britain, Gas Safe Register
will make it much easier for the public to be gas safe because in
the wrong hands, gas can kill. Our message is simple. To keep you
and your family safe, always use a Gas Safe registered engineer
when you have any gas work done in your home.”
Pete Eldridge continued:
“We will raise public awareness of the importance of
always asking for the ID card and checking the unique licence
number. Different types of gas work requires different skills, so
it’s important that you check the back of the ID card to make sure
your engineer is qualified to carry out the work you want them to
do.”
Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive of the Health & Safety
Executive said:
“We welcome the new Gas Safe Register that will give a
fresh impetus to this important area of public safety. There
will be new publicity initiatives on gas safety as a result of the
change, whilst reducing the costs to registered gas
engineers.”
Gas Safe Register will offer the public an improved service
making it easier to find and check an engineer. To find a Gas Safe
registered business and to check each individual engineer to see
what work they are qualified to do visit www.gassaferegister.co.uk
or call the dedicated helpline on 0800 408 5500.
Every Gas Safe registered engineer has a photo ID card with a
unique licence number, and details of the work they are qualified
to do. To check this information simply enter the engineer’s
licence number on the website or call the helpline.
The new register will aim to reduce the number of gas-related
deaths and injuries every year caused by incorrectly installed,
badly repaired and poorly maintained gas appliances by raising
awareness that appliances should be inspected regularly by a
qualified engineer. Shockingly almost a fifth of households
(19.05%) with a gas boiler had not had it serviced for at least
three years. Gas Safe Register recommends that all gas appliances
are safety checked and serviced at least once a year.
From 1 April, all work on gas installations or appliances must
only be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Gas Safe Register’s top tips to keep you and your family gas
safe:
- Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer for any gas work in
your home – and check their ID card.
- Make sure your gas appliances are safety checked and serviced
in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines, or at least once
a year.
- If you live in rented accommodation, your landlord must arrange
for a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out a safety check
every year on all gas appliances. You should be given a copy of the
safety certificate before you move in or within 28 days of the
safety check. If you don’t have this certificate, ask your
landlord.
- Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm, which will alert you
if dangerous levels are present in your home.
- If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak: turn off
the gas at the meter, extinguish naked flames, open windows and
leave the area. Seek medical advice if you feel unwell. Call the
Gas Emergency Freephone number 0800 111 999.
Find and check a Gas Safe registered engineer by visiting
www.gassaferegister.co.uk
or by calling 0800 408 5500.
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