Health and Safety Executive

HSE helps to promote gas safety message in South East Cornwall

260/SWW/07 15 May 2007

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be adding its support to a local initiative aimed at promoting gas safety messages and highlighting the dangers of Carbon Monoxide (CO).

HSE inspectors from the Plymouth office will attend a presentation ceremony at Liskeard Community Hospital on Friday, 18 May 2007, at which a CO monitor will be presented to the staff by local MP and active gas safety campaigner, Colin Breed.

Co-funded by the CO-Awareness Group, Association of Registered Gas Installers (ARGI) and a local CORGI registered gas installer business, the monitor will be made available - after appropriate training - to all potential medical users including hospital staff, local GPs and possibly paramedics.

"This is an independent SE Cornwall initiative," said HSE inspector, David Cory, attending the event, "and one which HSE is happy to support as it helps to raise public awareness of gas safety issues, particularly those associated with Carbon Monoxide. This monitor will help health care professionals get a more rapid indicator of any link to a possible CO poisoning - so they can take appropriate actions or get further blood tests done.

"Gas appliances which are not properly installed and adequately maintained by a competent CORGI-registered installer, may not operate properly and potentially deadly CO fumes could be released into an enclosed space.

"People need to know that you cannot see, smell or taste CO fumes - hence why it is often called 'the silent killer' - and the symptoms of exposure to CO are similar to 'flu. This is why it is essential to get the experts involved, whether you're talking about your gas appliances equipment or your health.

"All landlords are legally required to get all their gas appliances annually checked by a CORGI-registered installer and we strongly advise all householders do the same. You need to get your gas appliances checked and keep them safe and not be tempted to use unregistered engineers or friends - always use a CORGI-registered installer."

Notes to Editors

  • Every year about 20-30 people die from CO poisoning associated with domestic gas appliances, due mainly to these appliances not having been properly installed or maintained. HSE and Local Authorities enforce the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998 in domestic and commercial premises. These regulations place responsibilities on a wide range of people, including those installing, servicing, maintaining or repairing gas appliances and other gas fittings; as well as suppliers and users of gas systems/appliances. Statutory obligations are placed on landlords to maintain gas appliances that they own.
  • An analysis of gas incidents over the eight years to 31 March 2004 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. An installer's CORGI ID card has details of the types of appliances that an installer is trained to work on.
  • Audible CO detectors (for use in the home) with a British or European approval mark, such as a kite mark, are strongly recommended, although not a substitute for regular checks and servicing by a CORGI-registered installer.
  • 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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