Who can be the witness?
The witness must come from the healthcare facility, not the installer, and must be experienced in administering medical gases to patients. In hospitals this is often a senior nurse, anaesthetic technician or anaesthetist. In clinics it may be the practice's clinical lead. For non-respirable gases, it is the responsible anaesthetist or their delegate.
Why it matters
The witness confirms, on behalf of the facility, that each outlet delivers the right gas before it reaches a patient. Connecting the wrong gas to an outlet is one of the most serious risks in healthcare engineering, so the standard puts an independent clinical check at the final step.
What happens on the day
- The installer explains the scope: which zones, outlets and gases are being commissioned
- Tests are carried out and results recorded, including checks that each outlet delivers the correct gas
- The witness observes the key tests and the results
- The witness signs the certification documentation
- The system, or the modified section, is released for use
How to avoid delays
- Nominate the witness early and confirm they meet the requirements
- Book the commissioning date with the witness, contractor and facility team together
- Make sure the witness understands the process before the day
- Have a backup witness for longer projects
Training for witnesses
Our sister business, Medical Gas Training, offers short online courses for witnesses: one for shutdown and modification work (about 12–15 minutes) and one for new installations (about 20–30 minutes). Both are based on AS 2896-2021 and issue a certificate on completion.