On 1 April 2009, the new Gas Safe Register™ replaces the CORGI gas registration scheme as Great Britain’s gas safety authority.
By law, from 1 April, only Gas Safe registered engineers should be employed to carry out work on gas installations or appliances – CORGI gas registration will not be valid. The 120,000 engineers currently verified under the CORGI scheme are now registering with Gas Safe Register so they can continue to work legally from April.
The Gas Safe Register’s top priority is public safety but it will also target unregistered installers. If someone other than a Gas Safe registered engineer carries out gas work at your home, you could be risking the safety of your family and your property.
Registered engineers will be identified with the new yellow Gas Safe Register logo, and every engineer will carry a Gas Safe Register ID card with their own unique licence number. The message from Gas Safe Register is clear. Before you have any gas work done in your home, make sure you check the card.
The new scheme will work to improve consumer awareness of gas safety issues.
Incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained gas appliances are a major cause of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. They can also lead to gas leaks and explosions. On average over 25 people a year die from CO poisoning, and many more suffer health problems from CO exposure directly related to gas. Around 40 people a year are killed or injured in gas explosions. (Source: HSE Gas Safety Statistics)
Finding a Gas Safe registered engineer will be simple. From 1 April, you will be able to find an engineer in your area online – at www.gassaferegister.co.uk – or by calling 0800 408 5500.