Deal with gas escape emergencies in industrial properties

This standard is about dealing with gas emergencies.  It is for the industrial part of the non-residential downstream gas industry.  It can apply to gas emergencies for any type of fuel gas or combinations of fuel gas.   

It includes identifying the spread, complexity and risk of emergency situations, acting to reduce risk when it is safe to do so, instigating gas escape emergency  plans, managing isolation and evacuation procedures and maintaining communications with all appropriate people.  Any person carrying out this role must have site specific competence relevant to the level of risk.

This standard is for the person in charge of gas escape emergencies in non-residential downstream, industrial properties.

1. use agreed checks and procedures to identify gas escape situations

2. carry out a risk assessment of the spread and complexity of the situation using reliable information

3. take action to isolate and contain gas escapes when it is safe to do so

4. take action to reduce the impact of gas escapes when it is safe to do so

5. implement procedures to protect the environment when it is safe to do so

6. work in line with plans, safe systems of work and risk assessments at all times

7. position fire-fighting equipment in appropriate places 

8. advise responsible person(s) and regulatory bodies of gas emergency situations using agreed communication methods

9. advise operatives and members of the public who are affected by gas escape emergencies as soon as they occur

10. section off area to a safe distance for the risks posed 

11. prevent unauthorised access to gas emergency areas without delay

12. instigate evacuation procedures of areas to safe distances when required

13. review risk assessments on a continual basis throughout gas escape emergencies

14. review the extent of evacuation areas on an ongoing basis during gas escape emergencies

15. summon appropriate people to deal with gas emergencies using prearranged communication channels

16. maintain ongoing communications with relevant person(s) throughout gas emergencies

17. liaise and cooperate with relevant experts, contractors and regulatory representatives at appropriate points during gas emergencies 

18. pass appropriate information to contractors and experts who arrive to deal with gas emergencies

19. use every possible method to reduce risk of exposure to people entering escape areas to deal with gas emergencies

20. use reliable information to evaluate the cause of gas escapes 

21. amend working practices and procedures to reduce the risk of reoccurrence

1. regulations and guidance governing health and safety in the workplace, environmental protection and the use of risk assessments

2. the use of dynamic risk assessment in emergency situations

3. legislation covering general responsibilities for own safety and that of others

4. the Gas Escape Emergency Plan and responsibilities of self and others within it

5. the types of gas and other products held within the property and their associated hazards

6. the range of industrial gas systems, installations, components and gas-fired plant, how they operate and their associated hazards

7. the signs of gas escape and how to recognise them including smell, noise, haze, operation of plant

8. the layout of the site and the hazardous areas within it

9. the location of emergency cut-off switches 

10. how to reduce the impact of gas escapes including eliminating potential sources of ignition and ventilating areas

11. procedures to protect the environment including covering drains and sewers

12. the locations of communications devices and who to communicate with 

13. appropriate methods to secure the perimeter of gas emergency sites 

14. the location of cordons and barriers and how to erect them

15. appropriate personnel protective equipment (PPE), where it is located and how to wear and use it

16. correct positioning of fire-fighting equipment

17. procedures to follow in the event of fire or explosion

18. safe distances for evacuation and the effects on evacuation distances by weather and topography 

19. evacuation routes and muster points

20. how to administer basic first aid and when it is appropriate to do so

21. how to interpret safe systems of work and risk assessments

22. how to access and interpret required information including statutory and normative documents, industry standards, guidance documents and manufacturers’ instructions 

23. precautionary actions to prevent unauthorised access to restricted areas including isolation procedures and use of warning notices

24. emergency reporting procedures

25. hazard operability standards, failure mode, deficit analysis and hazard identification for industrial plant

26. how to analyse and amend working practices and procedures