How to keep your employees safe when working with gas in agricultural premises

Many agriculture and livestock rearing settings use LPG direct-fired air heaters, including poultry houses and horticulture. If this includes your business, have you taken the necessary steps to safeguard your workers and livelihood from any associated risks?

Many areas of gas work at agricultural premises fall outside the scope of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. So, for some agriculture workers, there may be an expectation that they can work on and maintain LPG pipework and heaters within the premises.

However, although not covered by Gas Safety Regulations, employers still have obligations to ensure employee safety as required by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Furthermore, they should be aware of the dangers associated with working with gas without appropriate training.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states that every employer must provide: “instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees”.

Even when working at premises to which the Gas Safety Regulations do not apply (e.g., agricultural premises) competence in carrying out gas work safely is required under Health and Safety law. Therefore, employers have two options when maintaining gas equipment. Engage a suitably qualified external contractor or provide their employees with the appropriate training to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain agricultural gas equipment safely in-house.

How can you ensure that your employees are adequately trained and competent? Colchester Institute offers industry-tailored, accredited gas training for agricultural workers, developed with large industry producers, and designed to enable employers to meet their Health and Safety obligations.

The Approved Code of Practice, accredited by BPEC Certification, covers:

• LPG Core Safety (limited scope)
• Agricultural LPG Direct-Fired Air Heaters

Delivered by our experienced industry trainers, delegates learn through a mix of practical and theoretical training. The training can be adapted or extended to meet the needs of employers within the agriculture and livestock-rearing industry.

On completion of the course, delegates will possess the skills to maintain, alter and extend the LPG gas pipework after the final stage regulator supplying the equipment and carry out the necessary installation, commissioning, and maintenance on LPG direct-fired air heaters.

For more information about the course, please contact CI Business Solutions on 01206 712727 or by email at business.solutions@colchester.ac.uk.