Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning

In November 2008, HSE supported the third CO Awareness Week organised by CO-Awareness. The aim of the week is to reduce incidents, fatalities and ill health due to carbon monoxide poisoning by raising awareness amongst consumers.

CO is a colourless and odourless gas caused by faulty or badly installed gas appliances. Symptoms include drowsiness, headaches, nausea and breathlessness. There are a number of simple steps that gas consumers can take to keep themselves safe from these risks.

Lord McKenzie of Luton, Department for Work and Pensions Minister with responsibility for health and safety, addressed the launch event at the House of Lords on Monday 17th November and the closing event at Liverpool Town hall on Friday 21st November.  Amongst other matters, Lord McKenzie spoke about the new gas registration scheme and what it will mean for consumers, gas engineers and other gas industry stakeholders.

By law

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 place duties on gas consumers, engineers, suppliers and landlords. Ventilation and flues are covered by The Building Regulations. By law, anyone carrying out work on gas appliances or fittings as part of their business must be competent and a registered gas fitter.

CO alarms

HSE strongly recommends the use of audible CO alarms as a useful back-up precaution, but they must not be regarded as a substitute for proper installation and maintenance of gas appliances by a registered gas engineer. CO alarms should comply with European standard EN 50291 and should be installed, checked and serviced in line with the manufacturer's instructions.

Further information

HSE have produce a range of free leaflets and information sheets for further advice or see the gas webpages on the HSE website and the DH public information leaflet on the risks of CO poisoning which has recently been updated provides useful advice.