Gas Safe in Northern Ireland

FROM APRIL, NORTHERN IRELAND WILL MOVE IN LINE WITH THE REST OF GREAT BRITAIN BY BECOMING PART OF THE GAS SAFE REGISTER....

Gas Safe Register set to take over in Northern Ireland.

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has announced forthcoming changes to the Northern Ireland gas installer registration scheme to take effect from April 1,2010. 

After extensive consultation with the gas industry and public representative groups, it has been decided that the current registration scheme provided by CORGI (the Council for Registered Gas Installers) will move to Gas Safe Register, the gas installer registration scheme operating in Great Britain. CORGI will continue to provide the scheme until March 31, 2010 when Gas Safe Register will extend its operations to Northern Ireland (subject to final contract negotiations).

Jim King, who heads the Gas Safety unit in HSENI said, "CORGI has provided excellent service to gas engineers and gas consumers in Northern Ireland since 1997. We are indebted to the local CORGI inspectors for the diligent way they carried out their work, helping to build up the high standards currently set in Northern Ireland. "The overwhelming opinion from our consultation was that we align with the arrangements in Great Britain and appoint Smooth transition planned Plans are being put in place to ensure the smooth transition between CORGI and the Gas Safe Register for all installers in Northern Ireland. The Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland is working closely with both organisations to ensure the changeover runs according to plan. 

There were reported problems in Great Britain during a similar process earlier this Gas Safe Register as the body approved to register gas installers for work in Northern Ireland. "HSENI is currently discussing the contract with Gas Safe Register and planning the advertising campaign that will REGISTER support the transition. This move is in parallel with an increase in the inspection team in the Gas Safety unit, aimed at ensuring the highest level of safety for gas consumers." Gas Safe Register's Chief Executive, Peter Eldridge, commented, "Gas Safe Register is delighted to have been chosen by HSENI to run the gas registration scheme, an endorsement to the success we have already achieved in Great Britain. "We are committed to delivering an effective service that minimises the cost and administrative burden on engineers and, from April 2010, consumers and gas engineers in Northern Ireland will have access to our responsive and efficient gas safety scheme that actively promotes the value of using Gas Safe registered engineers."

For more information on the Gas Safe Register visit the website at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk