The New Gas Safe Register in Great Britain
An End to Corgi Registration, a Legal Requirement for Gas Engineers
Each year there are some gas related accidents, injuries and fatalities and a number of incompetent "cowboys" are prosecuted annually. The government and the industry have responded with measures to increase safety and to deter unregistered do-it -yourself enthusiasts. For example, any new gas appliance installed after April 2006 must be notified and some merchants will only sell gas appliances and fittings to registered gas installers.
Corgi Registered Gas Installers
Whether it is installing a gas fire; moving a cooker or servicing a boiler, if gas is involved the British public know they need to seek engineers that are registered with Corgi (Council for Registered Gas Installers), this has been the law for 18 years. The unique, distinctive Corgi logo, the orange shield, adorns sign written vans of plumbers, gas engineers and builders the length and breadth of the country as well as featuring in advertising and on stationary. In the mind of the public the orange shield is synonymous with the competent gas worker.
Corgi & the Health & Safety Executive
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is the arm of the British Government with responsibility to "protect people against risks to health or safety arising out of work activities". In 2006 it launched an investigation into gas safety and commissioned research which found 45% of the public had little understanding of the risks associated with gas and carbon monoxide. Furthermore, some gas installers felt Corgi did not serve their interests.
The register of gas engineers was put out to tender and in August 2008 it was announced that Corgi did not win. From April 2009 anyone working with gas must, by law, be on the new Gas Safe Register™ which will be run by Capita. Corgi will continue to exist with optional membership but it will no longer maintain the valuable list of competent people.
What is the Gas Safe Register?
- Any person who works on gas systems or appliances must be on the register, by law.
- Registration is renewable every 12 months.
- To be on the register the person must have been assessed as competent through training and practical tests which are undertaken regularly (within 5 years).
- It replaces the Corgi register of competent gas engineers in April 2009.
- The Gas Safe Register™ is owned by the Health & Safety Executive, so if another company take over running the register in the future it will not require yet another new identity.
What are the Short Term Implications for Gas Engineers?
- Registration with Gas Safe when the annual Corgi membership expires in 2009 should be simple.
- For gas engineers the costs can be quite substantial; however, as all of their signage, advertising and stationary must be changed.
- The new name and logo were only unveiled in the Christmas holiday period, giving less than three months notice before the Gas Safe Register, with its yellow triangle logo, will be up and running.
- A role in educating customers who will still be looking for Corgi.
What Will it Mean for the Public & Gas Safety?
Outside of the industry there has been no publicity to date. The public should still be seeking 'registered' installers to work in their homes.
An advertising campaign is planned for March 2009. Capita claim 40% of the public will be aware of the new brand by October 2009.
Furthermore, ‘gas safe’ and the logo are to feature in general public awareness gas safety campaigns.
Sources
Gas Safe Logo
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