Northern Ireland switches on to Gas Safe Register

 Gas Safe Register sees the number of its businesses swell by more than 500 on the 1 April, when engineers in Northern Ireland switch to the yellow triangle.

The 'Big Change' gas safety awareness campaign kicked off in Belfast in mid-February, when Energy Minister Arlene Foster told the public: "Consumers need to ensure that, if they do need gas work done, they should use engineers registered with the new Gas Safe Register. They should look out for the new yellow triangle, which will be the hallmark for safety in Northern Ireland."

The consumer awareness campaign is already well under way across a variety of media, including TV, newspaper ads, posters, and displays on bus sides and shelters, informing consumers about the Big Change.

Engineers are switching to Gas Safe Register a year later than the mainland. But the change was not a foregone conclusion. Jim King, Principal Inspector at HSENI, says: "There was considerable debate about whether Northern Ireland would come under the scheme. We did look long and hard as to what would be the best fit for Northern Ireland.

"We went through a three-month consultation period where we contacted industry, other stakeholders and training providers, all of whom would be affected by the change.

"We contacted a number of representatives' bodies and engineers themselves. We talked to the Consumer Council and sought opinions from members of the public, including those who were vulnerable, to see how they would perceive a change to the scheme.

"We asked them whether having two schemes would be feasible from the point of view of public safety. Confusion gives a foothold to the cowboys."

Feedback from the consultations pointed to the importance of ensuring that the public were not confused about which scheme applies, the cost to engineers and access to training schemes.

HSENI then put together a range of proposals to the Minister, resulting in the decision to move to Gas Safe Register services and benefits as those on the mainland, including technical support, technical information for engineers who manage their registration online, and the downloadable marketing toolkit to help them promote their businesses and increase awareness of the need to use a registered engineer.

 

'I want to continue our excellent start'

April sees Paul Johnson take on the reins as Chief Executive of Gas Safe Register.

He's already been focusing on operations, having arrived in January 2010 as Managing Director. But perhaps his first major duty has been to oversee the transfer to Gas Safe Register as the CORGI scheme ends in Northern Ireland.

"Gas Safe Register will offer the same service in Northern Ireland as in Great Britain, " says Paul. "All businesses will have access to the website, the technical team and the marketing toolkit. And, as in Great Britain, consumers in Northern Ireland will be able to check an engineer."

Gas Safe Register is out of the transition period of the past year, and its objectives and plans for 2010 reflect its achievements. "We're delivering on our promises," says Paul. "The feedback from stakeholders, the industry and consumers is that they are getting a better service. Now we want to build on that and provide more support. We've demonstrated that we're listening."

One key piece of work that's under way is the enforcement review, which is still in its information-gathering stage. Last month consumers were asked about their gas experiences - especially after the cold winter, and thousands of engineers have already let Gas Safe Register know what they think of the current regime and how it might be improved.

The report, which is due to go to the HSE in the summer, will present options and alternatives for new approaches to enforcement.

The next area to which Gas Safe Register will turn its spotlight is competency. "The competency review will start later this year," says Paul. "We'll be starting work with the HSE on its terms of reference when the enforcement review comes to a natural end. We anticipate it will be a long review need we need to make sure we cover all the areas required."

Paul is keen to emphasize that Gas Safe Register's primary focus is gas safety. "I'm looking forward to working with the industry and working together. Year one was an excellent start and we want to continue that."

 

Gas Safe charity on the launchpad.

With Paul Johnston now in place as the Chief Executive of Gas Safe Register, Peter Eldridge has been able to focus on his role as a trustee of the Gas Safe Charity.

"I want to spend more time on the charity while continuing to be involved with the industry and the gas safety business," says Peter. "It was a bit of a conflict of interest for me, being on the charity and running the register. Gas safety is at the core of both the charity and register, but they have very different objectives and responsibilities. There needs to be a clear dividing line."

With Gas Safe Register now out of the transition stage, Peter has been able to focus much more on charity. Alongside three other founding trustees, he has spent the past few weeks talking to potential trustee from stakeholder and consumer groups who will be ready to take up their positions soon.

Although it's the trustees' role to shape the direction of the charity, Peter adds: "We are focusing initially on the prevention and in particular, how we get the gas safety message across to vulnerable groups."

 

Source - Gas Safe Register 

Posted Date: 31st Mar 2010