Health & Safety Update (August 2008)
Corgi out, Capita in
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that it has
selected Capita as its preferred bidder to run the new registration
scheme for gas installers from the 1st of April
2009.
The main differences between the bid from Capita and Corgi lay
in their approaches to introducing innovation to the scheme,
promoting gas safety and a new brand, delivering efficiencies and
the continuous improvement that HSE required.
The new scheme aims to improve gas safety and bring enhanced
benefits to gas consumers and installers across Great Britain.
A 2006 review of our domestic gas safety regime identified a
case for change. The former HSC took a strategic decision to stay
in gas safety and aim to do it better with greater industry
leadership. It was felt that criticisms of the existing gas
installer registration scheme which has evolved over time and is
managed by Corgi had some foundation. Even though the official
statistics show an improving picture, it was clear that more should
be done to raise public awareness of gas and carbon monoxide (CO)
risks. The core recommendation from the review was to deliver added
value to consumer gas safety and benefits to gas installers through
a reformed gas installer registration scheme.
The new gas installer registration scheme will be subject to a
concession agreement between the HSE and Capita for a period of 5
years. Capita will run the scheme and collect registration fees. In
exchange, they commit to delivering a number of outcome-based
annual or quarterly key performance indicators (KPIs) in the
interests of gas consumers and gas installers. Failure to achieve
the KPIs will trigger a service credit mechanism which will give
rise to financial consequences.
The new scheme will deliver lower fees for gas installers
together with a suite of actions aimed at improving consumer gas
safety and reducing burdens on gas installers.
Please read legal information.