Portable Oxy-Fuel Gas Equipment Inspection

Introduction

Your gas cylinder supplier has a legal duty to ensure that the cylinders you receive from them are tested in accordance with relevant legislation. You have a legal duty to ensure that the equipment you connect to the cylinders is safe and fit for the purpose.

The maintenance of portable oxy-fuel equipment owned by an employer (or by you if you are self-employed) is covered under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Provision of and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. It does not however require Written Schemes of Examination as the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations do not apply to it.

However, the Health and Safety at Work Act places legal duties on the employer and self-employed which include providing and maintaining equipment to required standards. British and European Standards and industry Codes of Practice set the standards that should be applied in order to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act. It is recommended that employers comply with the relevant industry Codes of Practice and Guidance Notes. Requirements can be found in the British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) Code of Practice 7.

In deciding whether an employer has done what is reasonably practicable to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees the cost of removing a hazard or risk is weighed against the likelihood of an accident, injury or risk to health occurring.

In other words have all reasonable precautions been taken?

Equipment Inspection

All oxy-fuel equipment should be inspected for compliance with the relevant safety requirements each time before it is used. In addition, the equipment must undergo a detailed annual inspection, with written evidence of that inspection being kept.

Equipment and any fittings - especially regulators, flashback arrestors etc - over 5 years old should generally be replaced, service exchanged or repaired unless stipulated otherwise by the manufacturer. Diaphragms, valve seatings arid seals will wear and deteriorate in and out of use. It is recommended that equipment stored for more than one year should be subjected to an annual inspection procedure before use.

Evidence of non-professional repair or modifications to equipment

Unauthorised people must not attempt to repair or modify equipment and fittings.

Where equipment and fittings have been repaired or modified, the person who has repaired them must test them in accordance with the relevant standard or Code of Practice. If you cannot test them to the relevant standard you must not attempt to carry out any work on them.

If repaired equipment is not tested to the relevant European or British Standard it could be in an extremely dangerous condition.

In the event of an incident caused by defective equipment failure to meet agreed standards and Codes of Practice could be a factor in the event of a prosecution under the Health and Safety of Work Act.

Portable Oxy-Fuel Gas Equipment Inspection Service

O.J Fabrications is qualified to inspect and advise on the condition of your portable equipment. The inspection is carried out either annually or every 6 months depending on the level of use and the working environment. Each set of equipment is given an identification number, its condition assessed and documented for your records.

Pricing

£30 per portable oxy-fuel gas set. Please enquire for additional pricing on multiple inspections.