In the gas industry there is strict regulation, especially if you compare it with other industries like car repair or window cleaning. The basis for having these regulations is that gas is perceived as a dangerous substance and regulation would alleviate risks and result in fewer incidents.

There aren't that many incidents as a result of gas use but there are more incidents as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning than as a result of gas explosions.

 
However most people seem to be easily convinced of the need of being careful with gas because it can explode. In society it is easily understood that gas leaks should not be traced with a match. Preventing and dealing with gas escapes is a relatively simple part of the work of Registered Gas Installers, whilst the more complicated and costly part of ensuring that Carbon Monoxide is reduced and safely taken outside, is not appreciated as much by gas users.

I was called to a property after the occupiers had smelled gas and the supply had been turned off for safety, the repair to stop the gas escaping was done in less than 15 minutes. The escape was small and would have been unlikely to have caused a accumulation of a dangerous mixture of gas and air to cause an explosion. However on a check of other safety aspects of the installation I found numerous faults and had to tell the customer that they would still not be able too have their supply returned as there was a dangerous situation with the appliances that I considered to be more of a problem than the gas leak.

The customer wasn't too pleased with me as they couldn't understand that, now the gasleak had been taken care of, they couldn't have the gas back on the way it was before they smelled gas.

I wish there was a bit more awareness about the risks involved with the use of gas. If it wasn't for gas explosions, we may never be called to do a safety check and I fear we would have more incidents involving Carbon Monoxide.