CCN1 Unsafe Situations Procedure (RIDDOR) — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP), what classification is given to a gas installation that poses an immediate danger to life?
- Not to Current Standards (NCS)
- At Risk (AR)
- Immediately Dangerous (ID) (Correct answer)
- Hazard Warning (HW)
Correct answer: Immediately Dangerous (ID)
An Immediately Dangerous (ID) classification is given when a gas installation poses an immediate danger to life or property. When an engineer identifies an ID situation, they must disconnect or turn off the gas supply to the affected appliance immediately, attach a warning label, and advise the responsible person not to use the appliance.
Question 2: When a Gas Safe registered engineer classifies an appliance as 'At Risk' (AR), what action must they take?
- Disconnect the appliance immediately without consulting the customer
- Advise the responsible person of the risk and seek their permission to disconnect; if they refuse, cap off and label the appliance (Correct answer)
- Leave a warning notice only and take no further action
- Report directly to the HSE within 24 hours
Correct answer: Advise the responsible person of the risk and seek their permission to disconnect; if they refuse, cap off and label the appliance
For an At Risk (AR) classification, the engineer must advise the responsible person of the danger, recommend disconnection, and seek permission to isolate the appliance. If the responsible person refuses disconnection, the engineer must turn off the appliance, attach a warning label marked 'DO NOT USE', and confirm the situation in writing.
Question 3: RIDDOR stands for which of the following?
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Correct answer)
- Registration of Industrial Defects, Damages and Official Reports
- Regulation of Installation, Design and Domestic Operations Review
- Repair of Internal Damage, Defects and Operational Risks
Correct answer: Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. Under RIDDOR, Gas Safe registered engineers have a legal duty to report any gas fitting or gas appliance that they consider to be dangerous to the extent that people could die, lose consciousness, or require hospital treatment.
Question 4: Under RIDDOR, who must a Gas Safe registered engineer report a dangerous gas fitting to?
- The local fire brigade
- The local authority environmental health department
- The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) via the online RIDDOR reporting system (Correct answer)
- The gas appliance manufacturer
Correct answer: The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) via the online RIDDOR reporting system
Under RIDDOR regulation 6(2), Gas Safe registered engineers must report any dangerous gas fitting to the HSE using the online reporting form at www.hse.gov.uk/riddor. The report must be made as soon as reasonably practicable. The gas transporter (e.g., National Gas Emergency Service) should also be notified if there is an immediate gas escape.
Question 5: An engineer discovers a gas boiler with a blocked flue that is spilling combustion products into the room. How should this be classified under GIUSP?
- Not to Current Standards (NCS)
- At Risk (AR)
- Immediately Dangerous (ID) (Correct answer)
- Minor Defect
Correct answer: Immediately Dangerous (ID)
A blocked flue causing spillage of combustion products (including potentially lethal carbon monoxide) into the room is classified as Immediately Dangerous (ID). This poses a direct and immediate threat to life. The engineer must immediately turn off the appliance, disconnect it if necessary, attach a warning label, and advise the occupants of the danger.
Question 6: What does the classification 'Not to Current Standards' (NCS) mean under the GIUSP?
- The appliance is dangerous and must be disconnected immediately
- The appliance does not meet current standards but is not immediately dangerous or at risk (Correct answer)
- The appliance has been recalled by the manufacturer
- The appliance needs its annual service
Correct answer: The appliance does not meet current standards but is not immediately dangerous or at risk
Not to Current Standards (NCS) means the gas installation or appliance does not comply with current regulations or standards but is not considered to be either Immediately Dangerous or At Risk at the time of inspection. The engineer should advise the responsible person of the non-compliance and recommend appropriate remedial action, but disconnection is not required.
CCN1 Unsafe Situations Procedure (RIDDOR)
Under the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP), what classification is given to a gas installation that poses an immediate danger to life?