CEA announce an increased uptake for I-GAS
Published: 05 December, 2019
Since the inception of the Industrial Gas Accreditation Scheme commonly referred to as I-GAS, accredited by the Combustion Engineering Association (CEA) in 2015 there has been a steady increase in its recognition. Nick Evans reports.
Organisations are now becoming aware of their legal obligation to prove gas competency of their maintenance staff and I-GAS’s role in this process. Such that, some household names are happy to be associated with the scheme for example Toyota UK, Ford Motor Company, Coca Cola to name but a few.
In their effort to further improve what is delivered through the I-GAS brand, CEA has revised the offering to industry through the Level 1 course. Level 1 is the entry qualification that is necessary for some operatives to move on to either Level 2. Industrial Gas Maintenance, or Level 3. Industrial Gas Technician, this was previously studied in an open learning format with a final end test to assess understanding. To enable the course to be offered to a wider audience this is now offered as a two day taught programme delivered either at the client’s site or an approved training centre such as Blue Flame Associates Ltd.
I-GAS Level 1 is now aimed at two main audiences:
1. It is for persons who currently ‘work’ as defined by the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations, on gas equipment within industry and MUST demonstrate competence, but do not possess a relevant qualification for gas work. Successfully completing the I-GAS Level 1 course will enable these people to move quickly to I-GAS Levels 2 and/or 3 as appropriate. Operatives with existing gas qualifications will not need to undertake Level 1 before choosing to take the Level 2 and/or 3 industrial gas programme.
2. Potentially with a much greater audience are persons who have an interaction with the gas systems or equipment at work and need to have a basic understanding of gas, what it is, what it is used for, and how it is used safely in industry.
Level 1 is therefore now appropriate to a wide range of people including non-technical and technically knowledgeable staff from other disciplines such as:
• Health & Safety professionals,
• Maintenance staff and facilities personnel,
• Supervisors and Managers,
• Anyone who might need to interact in any way with an industrial gas installation.
Blue Flame Associates Ltd in Staffordshire, has offered the I-GAS programme since 2015, Pamela Evans the centre manager says that the uptake of I-GAS in recent months is increasing at quite a pace. She explains: “We are now getting enquiries from all parts of industry, from our traditional customers in the Potteries, to new clients within the Motor Industry, Metal and Mineral Treatments etc. Recently a client booked their maintenance staff on a level 1 and 3 programme, as directed by the burner manufacturer of their new plant, this was required before on-site training would be delivered to their staff. Another client had been advised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) representative, that I-GAS was an appropriate programme to undertake, both clear proof that industry is now taking note.”
For further information regarding future I-GAS courses please contact Blue Flame Associates on 01782 576810 or alternatively send an email to enquiries@blueflameassociates.com
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