Answered By: Health and Safety Team
Last Updated: Feb 23, 2024     Views: 425

Failure to detect and isolate leaking mains gas supply could mean the potential for explosion and fire with risks to life safety.

The University uses gases including cylinder gases for appliances including heating boilers, ovens, welding and cutting and laboratory equipment. Gases present risks of explosion, fire, gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning.

The University uses registered engineers to install, maintain and inspect gas equipment and installations with no one else is permitted to undertake these works.

The Health and Safety Executive have information to read about 'Gas Safety for Employers'.

Explosive gas can also be produced as a by-product of certain processes, such as the tanning process in ICLT. Whilst the risk is very low, gas detection and alarm systems are installed to monitor the risk and alert occupants should concentrations in the atmosphere reach a threshold level.

There is also a homepage that lists the range of Health and Safety risks identified as relevant to the University's activities and facilities, together with information on the University's policies and arrangements on how these risks are to be managed and controlled.