Law and HSE enforcement

Statutory Instruments

• The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 No. 2451
• The Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 No. 551
• The Gas Safety (Rights of Entry) Regulations 1996 No. 2535
• Gas Appliances Safety Regulations 1995 No. 1629

HSE Approved codes of practice and guidance

• Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances
  ISBN 0 7176 1635 5
  L56 - Price £10.95

• A guide to the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 (out of print)
  ISBN 0 7176 1159 0
  L80 - Price £8.50

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, which came into force on 31 October 1998 take over from the previous Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994. These 1998 Regulations deal with the safe installation, maintenance and use of gas systems mainly in domestic and commercial premises. The Regulations place responsibilities on a wide range of people, including those installing, servicing, maintaining or repairing gas appliances and other gas fittings; as well as suppliers and users of gas, including landlords. HSE and local authorities have joint enforcement responsibility for these Regulations. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations aim to prevent injury to consumers and the public from either carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning or fire and explosion.

In particular the Regulations require:

• individual gas installers or gas installation businesses to be a member of a class of persons approved by HSE, which is currently CORGI
• Anyone carrying out work on gas appliances or fittings as part of their business must be competent and registered with CORGI.
• CORGI to monitor the competency of those businesses and their operatives to undertake gas work safely and to investigate complaints against registered installers.
• Landlords must arrange maintenance by a CORGI-registered installer for all pipework, appliances and flues, which they own and have provided for their tenants use. Landlords must also arrange for an annual gas safety check to be carried out every 12 months by a CORGI-registered installer. The landlord must keep a record of the safety check for 2 years and issue a copy to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed and issue a copy to any new tenants before they move in. HSE strongly advises that all gas consumers should have their gas appliances serviced regularly for safety by a CORGI registered installer.

More information on the legal duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 can be found on the FAQs pages.

HSE Enforcement

The ultimate purpose of enforcement is to ensure that duty holders manage and control risks effectively, thus preventing harm.

In the case of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, HSE’s main enforcing authority is the Field Operatives Directorate (FOD). They enforce the duties of landlords, the registration body and installers. There are a range of enforcement options for FOD to take, depending on each situation. More information on HSE’s enforcement policies can be found on the general enforcement pages.

If you feel there is another issue that HSE should become involved with then contact the Gas Safety Advice Line on 0800 300 363 and they will be able to advise you on your best course of action.

CORGI has in place its own procedures for the routine monitoring of registered businesses and installers, and for investigating complaints over their gas work, it would not normally be appropriate for HSE to become drawn into the consideration of individual cases of gas installer competence.

CORGI’s complaint system is outlined on their website. They have an online form you can fill out with your complaint, or if you would prefer to write or contact them by phone then their details are provided on our registration body page.