Gas Safety Week is coming up this September, get involved and stay safe!
Here at Able Skills, we take health & safety very seriously! We teach all of our students the proper and correct procedures for all aspects of the trade they are learning. It should really be obvious why Gas Safety is so important; however, it is still not clear to some people how important it really is!
Unfortunately, it is becoming a regular occurrence in the news, seeing ‘gas engineers’ arrested for carrying out illegal gas work or homeowners being caught up with issues surrounding illegal work. You should check with the gas engineer you have hired that they are Gas Safe registered. You can find or check an engineer at www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.
Gas Safety Week is coming up this September, get involved and stay safe!
What is Gas Safe Register?
Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration body for the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey, appointed by the relevant Health and Safety Authority for each area. By law, all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register! The purpose of this registration body is to ensure that the public and the engineer are safe. They do this by inspecting the work of Gas Safe registered engineers and investigating reports of illegal gas work. Additionally keeping the list up-to-date and accurate means that they can keep unqualified workers out of the industry.
Gas Safety Week!
Gas Safety Week is being held between 16th & 22nd of September, it is an opportunity for the accreditation body to raise awareness of gas safety. The week sees organisations from across the UK working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.
For example, unsafe gas appliances can produce a highly poisonous gas called carbon monoxide (CO). Carbon monoxide has no taste, colour or smell. It can make you feel seriously ill and can kill quickly without warning. This poisoning can be easily avoided by purchasing an inexpensive carbon monoxide detector, after searching on Amazon I found multiple detectors and sensors for as little as £15, this device could save the lives of you and your children. This is just one of the points that Gas Saftey week is trying to convey!
Gas Safety Week is being held between 16th & 22nd of September!
This year will be the 9th consecutive year of Gas Safety week, the body hopes to beat last years reach of 132 million people, but they need your help, the materials are free can be found on their website. The free toolkit includes images, articles, leaflets and everything you could possibly need to spread the word!
How do I become Gas Safe Registered?
Before applying you must have the relevant qualifications, experience and evidence. Currently, they only accept a few qualifications including; National Vocational Qualification, Accredited Certification Scheme and Scottish Vocational Qualification.
Here at Able Skills, we offer courses such as our Qualified Plumber Gas Training Package that includes core domestic gas safety. This ACS will need to be completed before you are eligible for Gas Safe registration and this is a requirement for all operatives involved in the installation, maintenance and servicing of domestic gas appliances and pipe-work installations. Also, every Gas Safe registered business renews their registration on an annual basis and updates their qualifications every 5 years, meaning you will need to refresh your memory on gas safety every 5-years!
Want some more information?
If you need some more information on any of the gas courses talked about in this article or you have any enquiries about our training centre you have a few options. Firstly, you can call us and get in touch with a representative on 8081003245. We are open every single day between the hours of 8:30 - 4:30!
Secondly, if you would prefer to speak to a member of staff in person about any of our gas courses, we would be more than happy to show you around our facilities and answer any questions you may have! We are based in Dartford a short walk from the train station:
K5, Riverside Industrial Estate, Riverside Way, Dartford DA1 5BS