CEA announces increased uptake for I-GAS

For those working at premises that fall outside the scope of the Regulations, gas work can only be carried out by a person who has successfully completed an appropriate full training course followed by assessment of competence.

To further improve what is delivered through I-GAS, the CEA has revised the offering to industry through the Industrial Gas Awareness course. This is the entry qualification necessary for some operatives to move on to either the Industrial Gas Pipework Maintenance course, or the Industrial Gas Combustion Technician course.  To enable the entry level course to be offered to a wider audience this is now offered as a two-day taught programme delivered either at the client’s site or an approved training centre.

The Industrial Gas Awareness course is aimed at two main audiences:

- Persons who currently ‘work’ on gas equipment within industry, as defined by the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations (GSIUR) and MUST demonstrate competence, but do not possess a relevant qualification for gas work, and

- Potentially with a much greater audience, any persons who have an interaction with the gas systems or equipment at work and need to have a basic understanding of gas, what it is, what it is used for, and how it is used safely in industry.

The Industrial Gas Awareness course is, therefore, now appropriate to a wide range of people including non-technical and technically knowledgeable staff from disciplines such as:

- Health & Safety professionals

- Maintenance staff and facilities personnel

-Supervisors and Managers

- Anyone who might need to interact in any way with an industrial gas installation.

I-GAS has been welcomed by industry and the HSE alike, as it provides a national solution to Industrial Gas Safety Compliance and Competence.

Maintenance work should only be undertaken by those who are competent to do the work, and who have been provided with sufficient information, instruction and training (PUWER regulations 8 and 9). With high-risk or complex equipment, these demands may be significant and, in some cases, may be best undertaken by the manufacturer or specialist contractors. But, in many cases, maintenance can be done in-house by suitably trained and competent staff.

Although ‘competent person’ is not defined in law, the HSE ACOPs to PUWER and GSIUR broadly describe the attributes; in short: Competence is the ability to undertake responsibilities and perform activities to a recognised standard on a regular basis. It 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.

GSIUR and accompanying Approved Code of Practice and guidance (ACOP L56) gives practical advice on GSIUR for anyone who may have a duty under the Regulations, including those who install, service, maintain or repair gas appliances and other gas fittings.
Within the guidance there are some notable exemptions; i.e. gas work (installing or re-connecting, maintaining, servicing, permanently adjusting, disconnecting, repairing, altering or renewing) carried out on production equipment within a factory does not require the engagement of a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. However, even if working at premises to which GSIUR does not apply (e.g. factories, quarries etc (see regulation 2(4)), competence in carrying out gas work safely is required to comply with the general duties in sections 2 and 3 of the HSW Act.

See ACOP L56 Regulation 3 Qualification and supervision:
c) for those working at premises that fall outside the scope of the Regulations, gas work can only be carried out by a person who has successfully completed an appropriate full training course followed by assessment of competence.

The I-GAS qualification has been devised in collaboration with industrial gas training providers, manufacturers of combustion equipment, and employers. It is the only formal training and accreditation scheme currently available that is specifically designed for maintenance staff and technicians working with gas in industrial premises.

For further information regarding I-GAS courses please contact the CEA
Tel, 01740 625538 or
alternatively send an email to [email protected].
www.cea.org.uk