Why Domestic Gas Safety Audits?

If you are in a position, say as a manager working for a housing association or local authority, where you are deemed to be responsible for gas safety then you will have a decision to make about gas safety audits.

It is more than likely that you will arrange maintenance contracts with gas engineers. You may look to the contractor to advise you in matters relating to gas, but the contractors purpose is to earn a profit from working for you.  The contractor will therefore have a vested interest which may or may not have an influence on the advice provided.

Assuming that you are not an experienced Gas Safe Registered gas engineer then you may not have sufficient knowledge to assess the cost effectiveness of the contractor’s work.  You may also not be in a position to judge if the contractor’s maintenance work is being carried out to an acceptable standard.

You should appreciate that your involvement with gas could leave you open to serious consequences.

‘Every year about 30 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained’ 
(Extract from Health & Safety Executive leaflet - Gas Appliances Get Them Checked Keep them Safe).

‘Landlords who have breached the gas safety laws and put lives at risk have faced tough sentencing recently in the courts.’
(Extract from CORGI leaflet – Gas safety in rented accommodation, A guide for Landlords and Tenants)

Should you ever be called upon to justify your actions then the appointment of a suitably qualified auditor to inspect the contractor’s work would demonstrate that you are carrying out your duties diligently.

The appointment of an auditor should also provide you with access to a second and independent expert opinion.

A conscientious contractor would also welcome the auditor’s inspection: it is in the contractor’s best interest if the auditor can identify an incorrect procedure before any damage or harm is caused.