RichardW wrote: ↑29 Nov 2017, 13:35
Most gas fitters will not have read the regs, and will not have understood, or misheard what they were told, or they were not told correctly!
Link to the regs:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998 ... tents/made
And the relevant section on competency:
Para 1 says competent, para 3, which refers to approved persons, only relates to employees / self employed persons.
Just to come back to this again - I think your whole position hinges on the interpretation of the word "competent"... I suspect that the use of the word we are familiar with (somebody who knows what they are doing) and the legal definition of it in legislation will be very different. I suspect "competent" means "qualified" in the eyes of the regulators. Looking elsewhere I see a more complete version of the regulations you quote:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/l56.pdf
Regulation 3(1)–(2)
(1) No person shall carry out any work in relation to a gas fitting or gas
storage vessel unless he is competent to do so.
(2) The employer of any person carrying out such work for that employer,
every other employer and self-employed person who has control to any extent of
such work and every employer and self-employed person who has required such
work to be carried out at any place of work under his control shall ensure that
paragraph (1) above is complied with in relation to such work.
The same as what you posted, then immediately under it:
ACOP 3(1)–(2)
80 Gas work should only be undertaken:
(a) by a person who has successfully completed an industry-recognised
training course followed by assessment of competence. Training that
leads to assessment of competence in safe gas work should be
recognised by the industry’s standards setting body; or
(b) in the case of a currently or previously registered person, where they
have proved competence through a certification scheme; or
(c) for those working at premises that fall outside the scope of the
Regulations (see regulation 2(4) and associated guidance), by a person
who has successfully completed an appropriate full training course
followed by assessment of competence.
81 Training should be of a standard to enable a gas engineer to achieve
competence in the safe installation, purging, commissioning, testing,
servicing, maintenance, repair, disconnection, modification and dismantling of
the gas systems, fittings and appliances with which they are working. This
should include an adequate knowledge of:
(a) relevant associated services such as water and electricity; and
(b) the potential for exposure to asbestos; and
(c) the dangers these may give rise to; and
(d) the precautions to take.
But then immediately below that:
Guidance 3(1)–(2)
82 Anyone who does work on a gas fitting or gas storage vessel must be
competent to do so (whether or not they are required to be a member of an
approved class of persons). Therefore, do-it-yourself gas engineers and those
performing favours for friends and relatives all need to have the required
competence. The level and range of competence should match the full extent of
work done, but needs only to be sufficient for and relevant to that work.
83 Employers of gas engineers are also required under regulation 3(2) to ensure
that their employees have the required competence for the work undertaken; in
addition to ensuring they are properly experienced and trained (see paragraph 86).
This involves ongoing monitoring of performance standards, as necessary.
84 Competence is a combination of practical skill, training, knowledge and
experience to carry out the job in hand safely, and ensuring the installation is left in
a safe condition for use. Knowledge must be kept up-to-date with changes in the
law, technology and safe working practice.
So after reading all that somewhat contradictory text I'm still unclear on the legality of non commercial DIY gas repairs on your own equipment by someone like myself who is not gas safe registered... Any thoughts ?
