281/W/07 30 May 2007

Safety first for Merthyr Council on gas testing

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and gas trainer Building Services Training are working with Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council to make sure all staff dealing with gas appliances are up to speed on gas safety issues.

The council asked for help from HSE and BST, part of Connaught PLC, to ensure all their staff and contractors working with gas are aware of current regulations.

The courses were held on 16 and 24 May, and covered legislation in relation to gas, qualifications and the competent persons scheme, implications of non-compliance and other issues surrounding gas safety. Presentations were also given by HSE and by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI).

David Collins, team leader from the Housing repair department in Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council said:

"We needed to make sure that staff members working on housing inspections could identify the warning signs that there may be a problem with gas appliances in a property, so we contacted HSE to help with training. The safety of our tenants and staff are paramount, and the training sessions have provided the teams working out and about with the most up to date information on gas safety regulations."

HSE Inspector Hugh Emment, who gave the HSE presentation, said:

"The Council are taking a really responsible attitude in organising this training. When treated with respect, gas is an extremely safe fuel, but it is vital that appliances are checked regularly by a competent engineer who can spot the early signs of problems and take the necessary action. HSE would rather be helping to make sure people got it right in the first place than have to prosecute for an unnecessary death."

Notes to Editors

• Around 20 people are killed every year from carbon monoxide fumes from household gas appliances. Other people can be made unwell from exposure to CO but may not realise it because the symptoms can be confused with many other illnesses.
• Around two thirds of fatal incidents would probably have been avoided if the appliance had been serviced by a competent CORGI registered installer in the previous year.
• If your installer says you need to have work done to make your appliance safe please follow the advice given as you may not get a second chance
• Consider also fitting a kite-marked CO detector. These are not a substitute for proper installation or servicing but are a useful back-up safety device
• Never use a gas appliance if you think it's not working properly. Danger signs include a flickering yellow or orange flame, sooting, and if the pilot light keeps going out.
• Get further gas safety information from:-
  • HSE Gas Safety Advice Line - 0800 300 363
    (www.hse.gov.uk/gas)
  • CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers) - 0870 401 2300
    (www.corgi-gas-safety.com)

Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by Government News Network Wales. For further information, please contact on 0844 800 6823