Duty of care for waste
In plumbing
The legal duty on a business that produces or handles waste to keep it secure, pass it only to an authorised person and describe it in writing. In England, Wales and Scotland it comes from section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Using Duty of care for waste in a plumbing system
Updated
A distinction worth remembering
Before draining a system or clearing a job, ask where the water and the waste will go. Dirty water belongs in the foul drain, and job waste goes only to an authorised carrier or site, with a written description.
Questions to take further
- Can I take my own job waste to the tip in my van?
- In England a business carrying waste, even its own, needs to register as a waste carrier, and the site must be authorised to take it. A householder's own rubbish is treated differently.
Sources
- GOV.UK: waste duty of care code of practice — The duty of care for business waste in England, including transfer notes and passing waste only to an authorised person.
- GOV.UK: register as a waste carrier — Who needs to register to carry waste, including a business carrying its own waste.
Where Duty of care for waste fits in the learning path
The Rainwater, Maintenance and Environmental Protection section covers these topics:
- Rainwater Gutters and Downpipes
- Water Efficiency and Reuse
- Maintenance and Environmental Protection
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- Maintenance and Environmental ProtectionRainwater, Maintenance and Environmental Protection
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A person or business registered with the environmental regulator to transport waste. In England, a business that carries waste in its own vehicle, even waste it produced itself, registers as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency.
Waste carrier
Read the Waste carrier entryCompare related terms
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Waste carrier
A person or business registered with the environmental regulator to transport waste. In England, a business that carries waste in its own vehicle, even waste it produced itself, registers as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency.
Read the Waste carrier entryWaste transfer note
The written record made when waste passes from one holder to another, describing what the waste is and who took it. In England, transfer notes are kept for at least two years as part of the duty of care.
Read the Waste transfer note entryBefore you start: some plumbing work is regulated or notifiable
Some water fittings work needs notice to, and consent from, the water supplier before it starts. Check the rules where you live.
Gas work is for competent workers covered by a Gas Safe registered business in Great Britain. Northern Ireland has separate gas regulations. Do not work on gas pipes or appliances yourself.
In England, installing an unvented hot-water system over 15 litres is notifiable building work: use a competent installer registered with a competent-person scheme, or tell building control before work starts. Leave this work to a suitably skilled person.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own water and building rules; check which apply before work starts. Electrical connections belong with an electrician.
This guide does not qualify you or make you competent, approved or registered for plumbing, gas or unvented work.
A definition is a start. Using it in a real question is where it sticks.