From 1 April, 2009, landlords and employers should check that anyone carrying out work on gas appliances is registered under the new Gas Safe Register. CORGI registration will no longer carry any statutory force. There is no grace period.
By law only Gas Safe registered engineers should be employed to carry out work on gas installations or appliances, CORGI gas registration will no longer be valid. The 120,000 engineers previously verified under the CORGI scheme are now registering with Gas Safe so they can continue to work legally.
Simple search and verification Finding a Gas Safe registered engineer is simple. You can find an engineer in your area online at www.gassaferegister.co.uk or by calling 0800 408 5500.
Registered engineers will be identified with the new yellow Gas Safe Register logo, and every engineer will carry a Gas Safe Register ID card with their own unique licence number.
Records should be kept, showing who has carried out work on gas installations, including the Gas Safe registration and licence number.
Incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained gas appliances are a major cause of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. They can also lead to gas leaks and explosions. On average over 25 people a year die from CO poisoning, and many more suffer health problems from CO exposure directly related to gas. Around 40 people a year are killed or injured in gas explosions.
Carrying out annual maintenance on gas boilers and water heaters in a commercial environment will satisfy the requirements under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and will constitute a suitable defence if a worst case scenario does occur, as due diligence will be seen to have been taken.
