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Gas Safety (England) Policy
Policy Statement
This policy is written to ensure that the service complies with Regulation 15: Premises and Equipment, of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. The regulation requires care services to ensure that all premises are suitably and properly maintained and the safety of people using services, staff and others present in the premises is always of paramount importance. The policy applies mainly to care homes, but also to gas safety in domiciliary care premises.
All required steps will be taken to secure the health and safety of people using services and employees in the use of all gas installations, appliances and fittings in this service. The service acknowledges that working with gas appliances (including heating boilers and cookers etc.) can be hazardous, and it is the organisation’s intention to minimise the risks.
The person responsible for implementing this policy is the registered manager.
The organisation is committed to ensuring that all gas installations and appliances meet the safety requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (as amended) and the Health and Safety Executive’s current Approved Code of Practice and Guidance so that employees, people receiving care and visitors are not exposed to any danger from, for instance, gas leaks or explosions caused by gas leaks and ignitions.
In order to fulfil this duty, the following conditions will apply.
- When a problem arises related to gas at work, such as someone smelling gas leaks, employees or people who use services should inform a responsible person immediately and/or report the issue to the duty manager, who will take necessary measures to investigate and remedy the situation.
- All precautions will be taken to ensure that gas supplies that could present any hazard to anyone’s safety are isolated whenever an alarm is raised or before any work commences. Procedures are in place to ensure that staff know how to isolate a gas supply if the need arises and to ensure there is no chance of ignition from lighted matches, cigarettes or any other sources.
- The service will follow professional gas safety recommendations and guidance to ensure that it has taken all possible safety measures in respect of its gas installations, fittings and appliances. This may involve the installation, location, use and checking of carbon monoxide detectors, among other measures.
- No person may carry out work on any gas appliances including their fitting, repairs or servicing unless they have been suitably trained. Only competent persons trained and authorised by the organisation will be allowed to carry out these tasks.
- Only contractors who have been accepted as members of the Gas Safe Register will be employed to carry out any work in connection with gas installations, fittings and appliances.
- Work on all gas installations, fittings and appliances will be carried out so that it does not constitute a risk to employees, people using services or any other persons.
- It is the responsibility of [name or job title of person responsible, such as registered manager] to ensure that any employee or contractor undertaking work on gas equipment is suitably qualified and classified competent by the organisation.
- All gas installations and appliances will be maintained to a satisfactory standard to minimise safety risks to employees and people receiving care.
- To comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations the organisation ensures that every installation and appliance has at least an annual safety check by a qualified gas engineer and that any defects are rectified as soon as possible in line with their recommendations and guidance.
- No gas powered equipment will be used on any of the organisation’s premises unless permission has been given for its use by [name or job title of person responsible] and the equipment has evidence of a current valid test (displayed on an adhesive label on the lead or the equipment itself).
Reporting
All accidents or “near-miss” incidents involving gas leaks or faulty appliances should be reported to the manager and an appropriate form filled out. Forms will be reviewed by {{org_field_name}} management in collaboration with staff representatives on a regular basis. If any gas related incident causes any person to be injured the incident will be reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) requirements.
Review and Revision
Regular checks of accident and “near-miss” incidents as well as annual auditing of the management systems for inspection, maintenance and use of gas installations, appliances and fittings will be conducted by the registered manager to help to identify whether the safety procedures are sufficient. This policy will be reviewed and revised as required.
Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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