What is, that one can be competent without having done a course, or not?With respect, there in no need to assume, it is written down in black and white.
I thought we'd established that a DIYer can legally work on his own system
OK thanks for that, I think we've kicked this to deathNo we haven't, or I certainly haven't. A DIYer can if they prove they are competent (before they start) and it is laid down how this can be done.
The point made by others is that you won't be found out if you don't blow your house up. That may be correct but nevertheless, if you can't prove competence, you are breaking the law by doing DIY gas work.
I am actually only following what the legislation and other documents say, not making up other things or interpreting it as something completely different.
I have said before the ACOP document is for guidance only but demonstrates how you can comply with the law. You are free to show some other way of compliance with the law if you do not follow this "However, the Code has a special legal status. If you are prosecuted for breach of health and safety law, and it is proved that you did not follow the relevant provisions of the Code, you will need to show that you have complied with the law in some other way or a Court will find you at fault"
Here a a few clauses from the ACOP....
"Anyone who does work on a gas fitting or gas storage vessel must be competent to do so (whether or not they are required to be a member of an approved class of persons). Therefore, do-it-yourself gas engineers and those performing favours for friends and relatives all need to have the required competence. The level and range of competence should match the full extent of work done, but needs only to be sufficient for and relevant to that work."
"Competence 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."
"Gas work should only be undertaken: (a) by a person who has successfully completed an industry recognised training course followed by assessment of competence. Training that leads to assessment of competence in safe gas work should be recognised by the industry’s standards setting body; or (b) in the case of a currently or previously registered person, where they have proved competence through a certification scheme; or (c) for those working at premises that fall outside the scope of the Regulations (see regulation 2(4) and associated guidance), by a person who has successfully completed an appropriate full training course followed by assessment of competence."
Training should be of a standard to enable a gas engineer to achieve competence in the safe installation, purging, commissioning, testing, servicing, maintenance, repair, disconnection, modification and dismantling of the gas systems, fittings and appliances with which they are working. This should include an adequate knowledge of: (a) relevant associated services such as water and electricity; (b) the potential for exposure to asbestos; (c) the dangers these may give rise to; (d) the precautions to take.
Again, you could stand up in court and say you didn't do any of the above but became competent by doing something else, whatever that may be.
No such law exists
yet the term competent is not defined
Health and safety at work act 1974, which the gas safety installation (and use) regulations 1998 sit under this umbrella."if you can't prove competence, you are breaking the law by doing DIY gas work."
This is the failing in all the debate.---No such law exists.
The law states simply that no person shall undertake gas work unless they are competent, yet the term competent is not defined.
"Competence 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."
"Gas work should only be undertaken: (a) by a person who has successfully completed an industry recognised training course followed by assessment of competence. Training that leads to assessment of competence in safe gas work should be recognised by the industry’s standards setting body; or (b) in the case of a currently or previously registered person, where they have proved competence through a certification scheme; or (c) for those working at premises that fall outside the scope of the Regulations (see regulation 2(4) and associated guidance), by a person who has successfully completed an appropriate full training course followed by assessment of competence."
Training should be of a standard to enable a gas engineer to achieve competence in the safe installation, purging, commissioning, testing, servicing, maintenance, repair, disconnection, modification and dismantling of the gas systems, fittings and appliances with which they are working. This should include an adequate knowledge of: (a) relevant associated services such as water and electricity; (b) the potential for exposure to asbestos; (c) the dangers these may give rise to; (d) the precautions to take.
Yes, it does.
Well, it actually is.
That's enough for now.
See my reply above yoursCitations,please?
Citations,please?
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