Gas installers need to be careful around electricity
Many plumbing and heating installers, and in particular gas engineers, can come into contact with electricity whilst carrying out installation and maintenance tasks.
As Gas Safety Week 2026 (14-20 September) launches – the national campaign, led by the Gas Safe Register, for raising awareness of taking proper precautions when working with or around gas appliances – Martindale is issuing a timely reminder on what test equipment can be used to comply with Gas Safe TB118a to help you stay safe from electrical hazards.
Technical Bulletin 118a provides the latest information and guidance relating to safe-to-touch and safe isolation procedures on single-phase supplies when carrying out gas work. Martindale has developed a range of electrical test and lockout kits especially for gas engineers.
The Martindale LOKKITGAS1 enables gas service engineers to securely lockout circuits before carrying out work on appliances connected to the mains power supply. Locking off the supply is an essential step in safe isolation procedures as required by the Electricity at Work Regulations and Gas Safe Register Technical Bulletin TB118a.
The kit includes both miniature MCB locks and the LOKFS1 universal fused spur lockout device which provides a simple solution for safely isolating fixed wired appliances including cookers, boilers, hand dryers, and water heaters. Once the fuse tray has been opened and the fuse removed, the LOKFS1 is secured in place using the screw heads of the existing facia plate and then locked off with a compatible padlock to prevent reinsertion of the fuse.
For a complete solution for safe isolation Martindale has also developed the TB118KITA Kit for gas engineers. It includes the VIPD138-S voltage indicator and compatible proving unit, to prove the circuit is dead, plus the LOKKITGAS1 as previously detailed which enables gas service engineers to lock off circuits securely.
The need for proving a circuit dead arises because labelling can often be absent, or more dangerously incorrect. It is not safe to assume a circuit or those adjacent to it are dead just because the isolation device is in the off position.
“The TB118KITA is the ideal solution for gas engineers working on systems with an electrical supply,” explains Steve Dunning, MD at Martindale Electric. “It includes the main test and safety equipment to comply with safe isolation procedures, plus easy-to-use tools for live voltage indication together with lockout devices, to ensure that workers are kept safe on site.”
Additionally, the Martindale TB118KITB includes all the tools contained in the TB118KITA, but with the addition of earth loop verification testing if needed.
*Please note, Gas TB118a should be read in conjunction with all other relevant safety guidance such as HSE Guidance Note GS38 – electrical test equipment for use on low voltage electrical systems, fourth edition.
Visit: https://martindale-electric.co.uk/electrical-safety-for-gas-engineers/
