HSE seeks views on domestic gas safety

HSE press release E014:06 - 15 February 2006

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is undertaking a major review of the domestic gas safety regime. Whilst the number of reported deaths associated with gas has reduced over recent years, tragic incidents still occur.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Minister with responsibility for health and safety, is launching the review by opening a stakeholder forum on 20 February at HSE's London offices. He said today: "Every year between 20-30 people are tragically killed through carbon monoxide poisoning. I want to ensure that we have an effective regime to improve gas safety."

The forum will be an initial opportunity for those interested in gas safety to help shape the review and HSE is inviting contributions.to determine whether current arrangements still provide the best means for securing safety. As a first step in engaging with stakeholders, HSE will hold a forum this month (February) for parties interested in contributing to the review. The event will be opened by health and safety minister, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath.

HSE wants to ensure the gas safety regime is based on the most sensible approach to managing the risks and commands credibility amongst those involved and affected. The review is also aimed at reducing bureaucracy, simplifying the law, strengthening business participation and ensuring the best use of resources.

The forum will be held between 09.30am - 4.30pm on Monday 20 February at HSE, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS.

The HSE review will involve extensive consultation so there will be other opportunities to contribute views. There will be a second stakeholder forum in September and a report on the review's findings is expected in late autumn 2006.

Notes to editors

1. Every year about 20-30 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning associated with domestic gas appliances, due mainly to these appliances not having been properly installed or maintained. HSE enforces the legislation aimed at preventing such tragedies.

2. Statutory obligations are placed on landlords to maintain gas appliances that they own. Appliances must be checked for safety at least once in any 12-month period by a CORGI registered installer. Owner occupied and tenanted domestic premises are both subject to specific gas safety legislation. 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.

3. 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.

4. The HSE review builds on the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) Fundamental Review of Gas Safety in 2000. HSE recognises that time has moved on, particularly in the light of HSC's 'Strategy for Workplace Health and Safety in Great Britain to 2010 and beyond', published in February 2004.

5. The work is being taken forward through three research projects: a review of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIU Regulations) and an exploration of enforcement options, as part of the Government's Better Regulation agenda; a review of the gas registration scheme, in line with the Fundamental Review's recommendation that it should be reviewed five years on; and research to examine the scale of CO poisoning associated with domestic gas appliances.

6. The contract for the review of the GSIU Regulations and enforcement options has been awarded to NEL, a leading international technology services organisation based in East Kilbride. NEL provides a comprehensive portfolio of research, development and other technical engineering consultancy services and is active in a number of industries, including oil and gas.

7. The second project is a review of the gas registration scheme. A contract has been awarded to Frontline Consultants, a London/Glasgow-based firm with 15 years experience in public sector projects for clients including the Department of Health, Home Office and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

8. he third project will examine the scale of CO poisoning to inform a sensible risk management approach to controlling the risks. Gas related fatalities and incidents reported to HSE have shown a downward trend but there is concern amongst some stakeholders that this might represent under-reporting, due to possible misdiagnosis of illness and wrongful determination of cause of death. The research is aimed at clarifying the actual level of risk arising from CO and faulty gas appliances.

Further information on domestic gas safety issues can be found on the HSE web site at www.hse.gov.uk/gas/index.htm

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