Gas fitting in caravans

[ProfJohnL]

On behalf of a client, I have been in discussion with the Health & Safety Executive's Domestic Gas Safety Team Work Environment, Radiation & Gas Division, concerning the application of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 as amended, to private touring caravans, and self-propelled motor caravans used on a temporary basis, (ie. Not residential dwellings).

I am not at liberty to disclose the complete verbatim correspondence, but as a result I conclude I have to make a subtle change to my general advice about who can do gas work on private caravans as outlined above.

The HSE, refer to the GSIUR and point out that gas work specifically on caravans and self-propelled motor caravans for private non-residential use is not required to conform to the GSIUR.

If a person operates a business or is employed to work on ANY gas installation they are obliged to follow safe working practices under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1974. Whilst the private caravan or self-propelled motor caravan is exempt from the GSIUR, the person employed to work on such an installation is required to work in a safe competent manner and with due regard of the approved codes of practice. Failure of an employed person to observe the ACoPS may be pursued by the HSE.

If an individual/ company were found guilty of a breach of Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act they can be fined up to £20000 and/ or imprisoned of up to 12 months for offences heard in the Magistrates Court or an unlimited fine and/ or imprisonment of up to 2 years for offences heard in the Crown Court.

A private individual working on their own caravan or self-propelled motor caravan is exempt from the GSIUR, and because it is not a place of work they are not bound by the HASAW regulations, However the HSE spokesperson did point out that unsafe practices in such installations maybe pursued through other legislation and by other authorities.

The HSE strongly recommend that only competent persons undertake all work on gas installations in privately owned caravans, and self-propelled motor caravans, just as in all other types of installation.

Whilst not strictly a requirement of the law, but in pursuance of improving standards, safety and personal protection, I will continue to recommend that ALL gas work in private caravans is only undertaken by a competent person.

 

[Chrisbee]

What is the definition of competent? Is this a trained and certified person or just someone competent enough to do the job safely?

 

[Dustydog]

How many "competent" persons have a manometer to test for pressure drop after working on the gas systems?

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Chrisbee]

When my domestic gas boiler was serviced last year the "competent" gas engineer, when undoing the gas inlet pipe to the boiler, managed to put a 90 degree twist in the pipe. Now either the previous "competent" engineer had over tightened the pipe or this one hadn't held the pipe when undoing the nut. Either way, it wouldn't have happened if I was undoing the pipe. OK, a pressure drop test would show the pipe wasn't leaking after refitting but so would a can of leak detector spray available to me. BTW, I'm not suggesting in any way that an untrained person should work on gas systems, only that there are degrees on "competent".

As an aside, previously the gas fire (which we have never used) was deemed unsafe and had a label to this effect attached. Mrs Chrisbee removed this later - I know she shouldn't have- but at the next service it had miraculously repaired itself and passed with flying colours.

 

[Dustydog]

When I was a kid I remember an "expert" holding a lighted match to see if a gas joint was leaking!

History doesn't say how he died.

 

[vernon]

"What is the definition of competent? Is this a trained and certified person or just someone competent enough to do the job safely?"

I think if you look at some of the questions asked on these caravan forums you can deduce who is competent or not!

 

[ProfJohnL]

As so often happens the question of competency has arisen. Unfortunately the regulations do not define what competent means, and as such the definition would need to tested in a court of law. However there are well established ACoPS and formal training schemes for gas fitting, and as these have evolved over the years, they now encompass virtually all situations that may arise, and provide protocols for dealing with them.

These protocols not only provide well proven technical solutions for gas installations, they provide the reporting and management structure for regulating the work and providing the evidence for assessments of working practices.

At the very least in respect of gas work, a competent person should have:-

v Formal records of having passed examinations and current professional updates designated as essential for the task in hand.

v Have a working knowledge of the GSIUR, ACoPS and any schemes of work designated as appropriate.

v Be registered with the oversight body (Gas safe) for the work by the recognised trade body (Not required for work on private caravans)

v Have access to all the necessary tools and test equipment to facilitate leaving the job and site in a safe condition.

v Be subject to regular re-assessment of skills and abilities.

By definition, a job that is not competently carried out, is "Incompetent" and should be reported to the oversight/regulators.

 

[ChrisUK]

All this safety stuff, and yet if you wish to change from butain to propain you are expected to change the high pressure pig tail (bottle to van mounted regulator) yourself.

I have recently bought a can of leak detector from ebay to give me some confedence. (sorry about the spelling!)

 

[machighlander]

this competent person baloney keeps popping up in here, have a look at current H.S.E. legislation and see what is deemed to be competent.

no bits of paper (sorry, certificates) only someone with relevant experience and knowledge, its there in black and white.

the H.S.E. are really good at basing their legislation on grey areas, thats why the first section of the health and safety at work act states that an employer must provide a safe working area " as far as is reasonably practicle", what does that tell you ?.