Who is competent?

15 February, 2017

In Regulation 8 – Written Scheme of Examination – paragraph 100 (page 31) states: “The written scheme of examination can be written and certified as suitable either by an independent competent person or by the in-house competent person.”

So, who is deemed a Competent Person? In paragraph 99 Regulation 8 it states: “At least one member of staff qualified to incorporated engineer level with adequate relevant experience and knowledge of the law, codes of practice, examination and inspection techniques and understanding of the effects of operation for the system concerned.”

This is for minor systems (into which most compressed air systems fall) defined in paragraph 98. Anyone can draw up a written scheme of examination, but only a person qualified to Incorporated Engineer (IEng) with the relevant pressure systems experience can certify (sign off) a written scheme.

If the end user of a compressed air system has no such staff then they need to identify an external competent person, BCAS members being an obvious answer.

The Approved Code of Practice and guidance for Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 can be downloaded free from www.bcas.org.uk