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Safe electrical isolation: FAQs

In February, we highlighted the requirement from July 2020 for engineers presenting themselves for ACS assessment or re-assessment to declare that they have technical knowledge or experience of safe electrical isolation. The article, by Energy & Utility Skills’ Standard Setting Body generated a number of questions from gas engineers, which the Standard Setting Body answers here.

Q. The Electrical Safe Isolation article in February’s Registered Gas Engineer magazine stated that a gas engineer will be asked to declare they have the knowledge and competence to undertake safe to touch and safe electrical isolation correctly. To which gas safety assessments does this apply?
Safe to touch and safe electrical isolation apply to all gas engineers undertaking a full core assessment or reassessment, ie, CCN1, CCLP1, COCN1, CCCN1 and CCLNG1. The safe to touch procedure applies to elements like CMA1, CMA3 or ICPN1/LS and CMA2/LS because typically these gas engineers do not electrically isolate gas equipment.

Q. Why are gas engineers being asked to do this?
This is to ensure that all gas engineers work safely, to protect themselves and their customers. The Standard Setting Body understands there have been electric shock incidents and fatalities of gas engineers working on gas appliances connected to electrical supplies. The gas industry has been consulting on this initiative for many years and accepts that, although safe to touch and safe electrical isolation are not matters of gas safety, it is important that gas engineers have the knowledge and competence to undertake these correctly.

Q. I was trained when I was an employee for a business but have no proof, and I am now a sole trader. What should I do?
If you feel you have the knowledge and competence to undertake safe to touch and safe electrical isolation correctly, then you will be asked to sign a declaration stating this.

Q. I have never had formal training in safe isolation but I have taught myself and I am sure I am competent. What happens?
If you feel you have the knowledge and competence to undertake safe to touch and safe electrical isolation correctly, then you will be asked to sign a declaration stating this.

Q. Are there two areas to cover in the training – safe to touch and safe isolation? Depending on the type of work that the gas engineer undertakes, they may only need to be competent in safe to touch, for example, meter exchanges, pipework installation or other tasks that do not involve working on appliances connected to an electrical supply. Safe to touch and safe electrical isolation will be required by gas engineers if they undertake work on equipment and appliances that are connected to the electrical supply.

Q. What if I am not sure I know how to undertake electrical self-isolation?
It is recommended that you undertake training to ensure you keep safe and that you keep your customers safe. If you work for an employer, we suggest you approach them. If you are a sole trader, you can talk to your training centre for advice.

Q. What will happen if I refuse to sign the declaration?
If a registered gas engineer refuses to sign the self-declaration, the ACS assessment centre will record the refusal and issue an advice notice highlighting the importance of being able to undertake safe to touch and safe isolation correctly. Failure to sign will not prevent the ACS assessment from proceeding.

Q. What will the training consist of, how long does it take and how much will it cost?
The duration and cost of training will be advised by the training centre. However, it is not considered that this training will be difficult or onerous. Your training centre may be able to include this within ACS refresher training.

Q. What happens if I want to undertake fault-finding and replace electrical components on gas equipment and appliances?
As well as having the knowledge and competence to undertake safe to touch and safe electrical isolation, you should consider gaining further technical knowledge and electrical competence in the areas of work you wish to undertake.

 

 

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