Energy Minister announces Big Change in gas safety
Wednesday, 17 February 2010Energy Minister Arlene Foster has launched the ‘Big Change’ gas safety awareness campaign in Belfast, today.
The campaign is aimed at helping all 150,000 gas consumers in Northern Ireland better understand the switch over from the CORGI to the Gas Safe Register scheme for gas installers.
The switch over will bring Northern Ireland into line with Great Britain. From the beginning of April 2010, anyone undertaking the installation, maintenance or repair of a gas appliance must be legally registered on the Gas Safe Register. Membership of the register will give the public an assurance that the gas engineers working in their homes are trained and competent to do a safe job.
Energy Minister Arlene Foster said: “The ‘Big Change’ campaign is an important development, particularly in the run up to the switch over from CORGI to the Gas Safe Register.
“All gas consumers need to be aware of this change and ensure that if they do need gas work done, they use gas installers and engineers registered with the new Gas Safe Register. They should look out for the new yellow triangle which will be the hallmark for gas safety in Northern Ireland.”
Responding to the Minister’s comments, the Gas Safe Register’s Managing Director, Paul Johnston, said: “The Gas Safe Register must quickly replace CORGI in the minds of gas consumers and so the new brand name is simple, meaningful and speaks for itself. We hope that the brand becomes a true legacy to gas safety and registered gas engineers for years to come.”
The Gas Safe Register will offer the public an improved service, making it easier for them to find and check an engineer. All Gas Safe Register engineers will carry a photo ID card with a unique license number, as well as details of the gas work they are qualified to carry out.
For more information please visit http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk 
or call the dedicated helpline on 0800 408 5500.
Notes to Editors:
1. Any person working with gas fittings or appliances must be registered with a body approved by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).
2. Currently the approved body is CORGI, the Council for Registered Gas Installers. To ensure a common approach across the UK HSENI is appointing Gas Safe Register to be the registration body from 1 April 2010.
3. This change affects not only the gas engineers but gas customers and potential gas customers who must use a registered engineer to carry out work on gas fittings and appliances.
4. The change is being supported by a media campaign entitled “The Big Change”.
5. HSENI (The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
6. HSENI, the regional health and safety authority, is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland.
7. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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