What is
it?
The word 'gas' can be used to describe the physical state of many
substances. While a number of gases have very specific safety
requirements, this guidance relates to the issues associated with
the use in the workplace.
Types of gas used
There are many different types of gas used by businesses. These can
vary from butane, propane or natural gas for heating, carbon
dioxide for pumping beer or powering paint ball guns, nitrogen for
cooling, argon for MIG welding, acetylene for welding, helium for
inflating balloons etc.
Gas
pressure
Gas presure can vary from 0.5 bar (7.5 lbs/in2) to 250
bar (3626 lbs/in2) and the gas bottles, piping,
regulators and fittings etc vary enormously. The equipment should
be tested regularly and maintenance should only be carried out by
competent, qualified personnel.
Gas for other
purposes
Gas is often supplied in colour coded cast iron or aluminium
cylinders of varying sizes and weights. These are often heavy and
must be handled and stored correctly. Connections to these bottles
must be made using the correct procedures by trained competent
staff.
The safety of gas used for heating
Gas used for heating is usually supplied at low pressure from a
main supply or at higher pressure from a storage tank. It can also
be supplied in small cylinders used close to the appliance with a
flexible hose connection. The gas itself can come from a number of
sources including natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and
methane, but in general the risks of fire, explosion, poisoning or
asphyxia, etc. are similar for all.
When gas does not burn properly, or is used in an area without
adequate ventilation it produces excess carbon monoxide. If
this is inhaled, it binds with the haemoglobin in the blood,
starving the body of oxygen and poisoning it. Symptoms can include
tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, nausea and chest and stomach
pains. In extreme cases carbon monoxide poisoning can kill people
within a matter of hours.
You risk carbon monoxide poisoning if your gas appliance has
been badly installed or maintained, for example:
- if there is inadequate ventilation in the room where the
appliance is located, or
- if the flue or chimney is blocked and cannot vent the system
properly
- if the appliance has not been regularly maintained by an
engineer
If your engineer is not Gas
Safe registered and due to their lack of expertise or
knowledge installs or maintains the appliance
inappropriately.
Further Information
Further information about Gas Safety can be found
at the following Webpage Link:
HSE Webpage - Gas
Safety
Further information about the Gas Safety (Installation and
Use) Regulations 1998 (L56) can be down loaded from the
following Webpage Link:
HSE
Publication - L56