HSE WM 294/07 16 October 2007

"When did you last have your gas appliance checked?" - HSE backs bid to reduce Midlands toll

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is asking Midlands residents "when did you last have your gas appliance checked" as it backs Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week.

Carbon monoxide is a hidden killer with early symptoms often as simple as tiredness or a flu-like feeling.

Over the last ten years there have been 247 carbon monoxide poisoning incidents in the Midlands, resulting in 36 fatalities and 464 non-fatal injuries. In terms of fatalities, last year was the worst in the past ten with 19 incidents causing 8 deaths and 27 injuries.

This week the HSE has given its support to CO Awareness Week, organised by the campaign group CO Awareness, launched on Monday 15 October at the House of Lords, and attended by Health and Safety Executive’s Chief Executive Geoffey Podger.

HSE Midlands Regional Director Marcia Davies says: "Carbon monoxide poisoning strikes without warning. You can’t see, hear, taste, or even smell carbon monoxide. Every year it kills around 30 people in the region. The symptoms can be mistaken for influenza, so don’t become an unwitting victim. Make sure all gas appliances are properly checked and serviced.

"If you are becoming a tenant of rented property, ask your landlord for your gas safety certificate. Your landlord is required by law to show it to you so you know your gas appliances have been serviced annually. If you are a homeowner, ensure that your gas appliances are fitted and regularly maintained by a CORGI registered installer."

If you are renting property then by law your landlord must:

• ensure that gas appliances, flues and associated gas pipe work etc are maintained, in a safe condition, by a CORGI Registered installer;
• have an annual safety check carried out, by a CORGI Registered installer, on each gas appliance that they own in the properties that they let; and
• provide you with a copy of the record before you move in and within 28 days of each subsequent annual check being performed.

Marcia Davies adds: "Always check the record to ensure it is current and, if it indicates any appliance is defective, check that remedial action has been taken or the appliance has been made safe.

"Remember, if you are a home owner it is your responsibility to maintain any gas appliance that you own, eg cooker or mobile heater."

The HSE warn that if you spot any of the tell-tale signs that your appliance might be leaking excess CO – such as yellow-orange flames, soot and stains around the appliance, or a flickering pilot light – switch the appliance off, ventilate the room, and seek urgent medical assistance.

It is unlawful for anyone to carry out gas fitting work, in domestic or commercial premises, as a business unless they are registered with the CORGI Gas Registration. It is also unlawful for anyone to claim that they are CORGI registered when they are not.

All genuine gas fitters expect to be asked to produce their CORGI registration ID card before being invited into your property. The information on the card is also printed in Braille.

Apart from checking the identification details on the front of the card also check the expiry date to ensure the fitters registration is still current. On the back of the card check the list of work categories to ensure the fitter is competent to perform the job you need doing.  If you need further advice or have doubts that the record is genuine, contact CORGI on 0870 401 2300. You can also:

• visit www.trustcorgi.com
• contact the HSE Gas advice enquiry line on 0800 300 363.

Visit the HSE Website at hse.gov.uk/gas and, in particular, the links entitled ‘Information’ and ‘FAQs.’

Public enquiries:

Call HSE's InfoLine, Tel: 08701 545500, or write to: HSE InfoLine, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

HSE information and press releases can be accessed on the Internet: http://www.hse.gov.uk/

Press Notices issued on behalf of all Government Departments can be viewed on: www.gnn.gov.uk

Issued on behalf of the HSE by Government News Network West Midlands.