Your employer has a ‘duty of care’ to make sure, as far as possible, your health, safety and welfare while you’re at work. They should start with a risk assessment to spot possible health and safety hazards. They have to appoint a ‘competent person’ with health and safety responsibilities usually one of the owners in smaller firms, or a member of staff trained in health and safety.
Britons collectively used 1,233 ktoe (kilotonne of oil equivalent) of gas in their homes in 2017. 85% of us heat our homes with gas-powered boilers, which also heat water, and most of us it to cook meals: while just 30% of us have gas ovens, 61% have gas hobs. And while accidents are rare, they can be dangerous. Gas leaks can cause injuries, as well as explosions and fires which can destroy homes, cause serious injuries and claim lives.
DSEAR Regs (Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmosphere Regulations) 2002 (SI 2002 No.2776) employers must put control measures in place to eliminate risks from dangerous substances or reduce them as far as is reasonably practicable. This includes maintenance of equipment and fitting of flashback arrestors. The Acetylene Safety (England and Wales and Scotland) Regulations require that all mobile systems shall be fitted with a purpose designed regulator for acetylene, a flashback arrestor incorporating a non-return valve and a pressure and/or temperature sensitive cut-off valve. When using acetylene, you must ensure that these legal obligations are met. Read more info on CP7 Gas Inspections.
Keep ventilation clear and unblocked. Ventilation for gas appliances can include chimney flues and air vents and bricks. Black soot marks appearing on an appliance can be a sign that the ventilation is blocked. Properly fit a carbon monoxide detector: Carbon monoxide is a highly dangerous colourless and odourless gas, making it difficult to detect until it’s too late without a carbon monoxide detector. All homes containing gas appliances should have a detector, which can be bought from most DIY stores and are readily available to buy online. When choosing an alarm, make sure that it meets European safety standards.
