The key health and safety legislation covering gas supply comprise:
This section provides the links to this legislation, its associated HSE guidance and details of the GS(M)R's Safety case submission requirements.
Responsibility for enforcing health and safety law for gas supply management, transportation and storage forms part of the role of the Gas and Pipelines Unit in HSE’s Hazardous Industries Directorate.
The Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 (GSMR) apply to the conveyance of natural gas (methane) through pipes to domestic and other consumers and cover four main areas:
GSMR requires gas conveyors to prepare a safety case containing the information required by Schedule 1 of the regulations and have it formerly accepted by HSE before conveying gas.
The Gas Safety Assessment Manual (SCAM) provides a framework for assessing the GSMR safety cases within which the HSE assessors exercise professional judgement. The manual includes acceptance criteria and document submission details.
While GSMR deals with the managementof the flow of gas through the network, the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 (PSR) [OPSI] are principally concerned with pipeline integrity and aimed at securing safety in the design, construction, installation, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of pipelines.
PSR imposes general duties in relation to all relevant pipelines and additional duties with regard to major accident hazard pipelines (eg for the gas transportation and distribution network, major accident hazard pipelines are defined as those operating at pressures in excess of 7 barg).
Safety Case Assessment Manual (V6)
Avoiding danger from underground services
Consultation on amendments to PSR 1996