(Version - February 2006)
1. Policy Reference
1.1 This policy document refers to the following aims and objectives outlined in the Council’s general statement of Health & Safety policy:
(a) The provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health.
(b) So far as is reasonably practicable, as regards any place of work under the Council’s control, the maintenance of it in a condition that is safe and without risks to health.
(c) Meeting its responsibility to persons other than its own employees
2. Gas Safety
2.1 All reasonable steps will be taken to secure the health and safety of employees, tenants, and others who use or operate gas appliances. In this respect the term gas refers to mains gas, liquified natural gas and liquified petroleum gases, ie propane and butane.
2.2 In order to reduce the risks associated with the use of appliances and installations using gas, the Council will ensure:
(a) that gas installations and appliances are designed and installed by qualified and competent persons in accordance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
(b) that gas installations are maintained in a safe condition by carrying out annual safety checks and regular maintenance.
(c) that portable and transportable gas appliances are inspected and tested frequently as required (the frequency will depend on the environment in which the appliance is used and the conditions of usage).
(d) safe systems of work for maintenance, inspection or testing are promoted and implemented.
(e) monitoring of gas inspection, design and installation work, and the gas safety management system is carried out by competent persons.
(f) that contractors and persons who carry out work on gas installations and appliances are competent to do so.
(g) suitable personal protective equipment is provided if required to include special tools, protective clothing and gas detection devices and such equipment is maintained in good condition.
(h) safety information is exchanged with contractors ensuring that they are fully aware of (and prepared to abide by) the Council’s health and safety arrangements.
(i) detailed records required by the regulations and in relation to the above are maintained.
3. Responsibilities
3.1 The Chief Executive shall be responsible for carrying out his obligations as contained within Section 1.1 of The Highland Council’s Health and Safety Policy as it relates to Gas Safety Management.
3.2 Service Directors shall be responsible for ensuring that:
Adequate resources are made available to enable the objectives of the policy to be met by ensuring arrangements are made to operate the Corporate Gas Safety Management System as it impacts on their Service, and
(a) They have undertaken suitable and sufficient Risk Assessments within the properties where they have employees and tenants or where they are responsible for performing a delegated Highland Council function where gas or gas installations are present in property/dwellings under their control.
(b) They have established a process for evaluating, prioritising and financing any works that require to be undertaken in regard to the elimination, reduction or management of identified risks from gas or gas installations, in consultation with colleagues in Property and Architectural Services and the corporate Health and Safety Team.
(c) They have established procedures to implement the Corporate Gas Safety Management System as it impacts on their Service to ensure adequate management of residual or existing risks resulting from gas or gas installations present in properties under their control.
(d) All of delegated responsibilities can be met in an evidenced and structured manner.
(e) That all incidents or accidents concerning gas or gas installations are properly reported and investigated with suitable preventative measures implemented.
3.3 The Director of Corporate Services shall be responsible for ensuring that:
(a) The corporate Health and Safety Team meet with client representatives on a regular basis to review and provide advice in the carrying out of risk assessments.
(b) The corporate Health and Safety Team carry out regular inspections on the premises to ensure that the agreed management systems and procedures are adequate and are being implemented.
(c) The corporate Health and Safety Team provide periodic reports to client services and others on the findings and recommendations of their inspections.
(d) As Monitoring Officer under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 - Section 5, arrangements are established to provide the Director of Corporate Services with any reports on cases of contravention of legal requirements and statutory codes.
3.4 Area Managers shall be responsible for ensuring that:
(a) This corporate policy, and any relevant Service policies, for the management of risks from gas or gas installations present in properties within their area are monitored and implemented.
3.5 The Director of Property and Architectural Services shall be responsible for ensuring that a Corporate Gas Safety Management System is established and maintained, and that:
(a) All contract and engineering works shall be undertaken in accordance with best practice and in a manner that eliminates, reduces or controls identified risks from gas or gas installations present in properties owned, operated by or under the control of, The Highland Council.
(b) Property and Architectural staff meets with client representatives on a regular basis to assist in the provision of property advice or related matters regarding implementation of the Corporate Gas Safety Management System where gas or gas installations are present in property under their control.
(c) Property and Architectural staff carry out regular recorded monitoring of the Corporate Gas Safety Management System to ensure that it operates satisfactorily and that properties with gas installations are performing to legislative standards.
(d) Property and Architectural staff arrange to compile and manage an “outstanding” works list of any identified gas defect items and ensure that client representatives are made fully aware of the issues and the manner by which residual or existing risks from such outstanding works can be managed.
4. Safe System of Work
4.1 Accidents involving gas can have very serious consequences arising from either burns or explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning from waste products.
4.2 Any gas related incident shall be thoroughly investigated (either as the result of an HSE request after a RIDDOR or resulting from day to day monitoring).All responsible persons shall be made aware of such incidents and have the relevant input into the investigation, reporting and reviewing process.
4.3 A Corporate Gas Safety Management System will be established that:
• Identifies key senior managers with overall responsibility for ensuring that the gas safety policy implementation, and ongoing policy development is carried out.
• Establishes responsibilities of individual managers in relation to employer and landlord duties where gas installations are present in premises under their control.
• Commits senior managers to the provision of appropriate financial resources to ensure that annual gas safety checks and maintenance are carried out.
• Expresses commitment to maintaining effective systems of communication on gas related health and safety matters.
• Express commitment to planning regular review and development of the gas safety policy.
• Includes written statements of organisation and arrangements for planning, monitoring, and auditing of the management system to ensure its effectiveness.
• Includes Operational Manuals and Technical Guidance.
5. Implementation and Guidance
5.1 Guidance will be issued to provide more detailed information on and assist in the implementation of the following aspects of this policy.More detailed information on implementation and guidance is available in the Gas Safety Management Procedure PCD 017.
6. Legal Reference
6.1 This policy further develops the provisions the Council will make in relation to the following statutory requirements:
(a) The Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974
(b) The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
(c) The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.