Joining gas safe question

[superhoop]

Hello

I am gas qualified, CCN1, CEN1, HTR1, WAT1, CKR1 and CPA1. I was working for a gas company but after moving down south had to leave the company.

Basically I want to register with Gas Safe on my own, but am not sure exactly how to do this. I have e-mailed them via their website and they said to complete the application form.

A few questions I'd like to ask if anyone can help? The probation period, does it mean they will check my work after I have done it? How will they know? I really am a service/breakdown engineer and also do gas safety's, I don't do installs really. How does this process work?

Thanks for your help

 

[Alfredo]

You sound exactly like me eight months ago.

Make your application and pay your fee. You become a probationary member which means that when your paperwork arrives there is a form to fill in itemising every job that you do. At some point you will get a letter advising you that a Gas Safe inspector is coming and will want to see examples of your work, or possibly even see you work.

Like you my installer experience is limited and a bit rusty, I was a service and breakdown waller for 90% of my company work. I contacted Gas Safe to say I had not done any installations for him to look at, just a few services and breakdowns, could I delay it a month. Yes they said. It was rebooked but I still had little to show, but he came anyway and made his irritation obvious when I explained (yet again) that it was early days and I had not much to show him.

I offered to service my own appliances for him to observe, he said, not necessary, and we talked and he quizzed me in depth about what I had done in my previous job. We discussed safety issues. He was not really very 'user friendly' but he did mellow just a fraction eventually. On that basis he signed me off being probationary and advised I would most likely not see him for a year.

He also advised that work inspections these days are mostly unaccompanied, so you only get 'the call' after you have been hung drawn and quartered in your absence. This is a change from the Corgi days and apparently means they can get round more site inspections in a working day.

I also made sure I got Third Party Liability cover just in case he asked, and because its a good idea anyway. Google 'Simply Business' who do very good value cover.

Hope that helps

Alfredo

 

[Beerlover]

Don't panic, your first interview will start sternly but once, if you can, you demonstrate your competence the interview will lighten considerably. To quote my first CORGI inspector, "We only give the d***heads a hard time".

I know it is now Gassafe - the name has changed, my inspector has not.

Good luck and cheers