05 December 2006 - Gas sector urged to do more to prevent carbon monoxide deaths
John Hutton, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Lord Hunt, Health and Safety Minister, are today calling upon the gas, energy and heating industries to do more to reduce the number of people who needlessly die from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Every year between 20 and 30 lives are lost because domestic gas appliances have not been properly installed or maintained, but nearly half of homes receive no information about how to stay safe.
In a letter to CEOs and senior management of major companies in the sector, Mr Hutton has highlighted the need for industry to take the lead.
In his letter, John Hutton said:
“New effort is needed to increase the public’s knowledge of gas safety risks and how they can be minimised. The gas industry has a crucial leadership role. I will take a keen interest in the industry’s progress and the outcomes.”
In addition to this, Lord Hunt is addressing gas safety campaigners, MPs, victims and relatives of victims of CO poisoning at an event at the House of Lords, as part of CO Awareness Week. He will make clear that complacency from the industry is not acceptable.
Lord Hunt will say:
“Whilst carbon monoxide fatalities have decreased in recent years, more needs to be done. New research shows worrying levels of ignorance on this subject. People need to know how to reduce the risk and protect themselves. Industry is best placed to get this message across and I have asked it to do more.”
A Ministerial Group will monitor and review industry’s actions and progress.
Notes to editors
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that gas appliances should be checked and serviced regularly by a CORGI-registered installer. It is also important to ensure they are used correctly. When used, appliances must have access to a good supply of fresh air: Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when there isn’t enough air for complete burning of the fuel.
- Never use a gas appliance if you think it’s not working properly.
Signs to look out for on boilers, fires and cookers include:
- yellow or orange flames (except for fuel-effect fires which display this colour flame);
- soot or stains around the appliance; and
- a pilot light that frequently blows out.
- CO fumes cannot be seen, smelt or tasted. CO can kill without warning in just hours. Symptoms of CO poisoning can include tiredness, drowsiness, headaches and breathlessness. If you believe CO may be causing you problems seek urgent medical advice.
- The Carbon Monoxide Awareness event at the House of Lords is taking place on Tuesday 5th December at 10.00 am. If you would like to attend please contact the organisers, ‘CO Gas Safety’ on 01372 466112, 01372 466135 or 07803 088608.
- The HSE enforces the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998. These regulations place responsibilities on a wide range of people, including those installing, servicing, maintaining or repairing gas appliances and fittings; as well as suppliers and users of gas systems/appliances. Statutory obligations are placed on landlords to maintain gas appliances that they own. But owner/occupiers do not have duties under these regulations to maintain or use their gas appliances safely.
- An analysis of gas incidents over the eight years to 2003/04 shows that 64 per cent of fatalities were attributed to the action or lack of action of an occupier or a relative.
- The law requires that anyone who works on gas appliances must be competent, and if they are doing the work as a business, i.e. employer or self-employed, they must be CORGI registered. HSE has prosecuted 130 people over the last four years for impersonating a CORGI registered installer or carrying out work while not registered.
- The HSE commissioned research from University College London to inform
its gas safety review. Early findings published in October included:
- 45% of homes had received no information on the dangers of CO;
- 95 gas appliances were condemned by gas engineers; and
- A higher prevalence of appliances with problems was found in the homes of vulnerable people (young, old, those in receipt of benefits).
- Further information on domestic gas safety issues can be found on the HSE web site at http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/index.htm
Approved CO detectors are strongly recommended, although these must not be used as a substitute for regular checks and servicing by a CORGI-registered installer.
Issued by Department for Work and Pensions Press Office. For more
information, contact Helen Fielding: 020 7238 0756 .
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