Beware of the silent killer, HSE's reminder during CO Awareness week

E058:08 17 November 2008

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today lent its support to CO (carbon monoxide) Awareness Week, organised by campaign group CO Awareness.

Often referred to as 'the silent killer', CO fumes are particularly dangerous because they cannot be smelt, seen or tasted and in extreme cases can kill in hours.

Speaking today (17 Nov) at the launch of CO Awareness Week in the House of Lords, Lord McKenzie, DWP Minister with responsibility for Health and Safety, said:

"Those who have lost relatives and friends during the last year as a result of CO poisoning know how important it is that we get the right messages across to gas consumers. This is especially so at a time of rising fuel prices when consumers may be tempted to cut corners on servicing and maintenance of their gas appliances.

"I have personally been pressing the importance of raised public awareness of the risks to safety and health from gas and I call on industry to continue with its awareness raising activities, and to take responsibility for managing the risks of carbon monoxide."

The HSE said that the public could take some simple steps to reduce the risk of CO poisoning. First, ensure all fuel burning appliances are regularly serviced by an appropriately qualified and registered engineer and that appliances have appropriate ventilation. This is because CO is produced when there isn't enough air for the complete burning of carbon fuels such as gas, oil and coal, which causes poisonous fumes.

Second, remain vigilant for the signs that a gas appliance may be leaking excess carbon monoxide. These include yellow or orange flames (except for fuel-effect fires which display this colour flame), soot or stains around the appliance and a pilot light that frequently blows out. Third, consider fitting a CO alarm.

HSE also advise that if you suspect your gas appliance is giving out excess carbon monoxide you should:

• switch the appliance off;
• ventilate the room;
• visit your GP as a matter of urgency; and
• ensure that a gas registered installer makes the necessary repairs.

To mark HSE's support for CO Awareness Week, HSE Chief Executive Geoffrey Podger said:

"Sadly, each year people die unnecessarily from CO poisoning. By issuing this timely advice, we hope the dangers of this silent killer will be more audible to the public."

In the last year, the health and safety regulator has helped to combat this issue by:

• Protecting the public and the good name of the vast majority of gas engineers by ensuring that rogue gas fitters and reckless landlords were prosecuted.
• Continuing to work with partners, such as local councils, to ensure standards are maintained.
• Reminding landlords to meet their legal obligations by having their tenants' gas appliances and flues maintained and annual safety checks carried out by a registered gas engineer.
• Strengthening the registration scheme for gas engineers and gas consumers.

More information on gas safety is available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/index.htm

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office

Notes to editors

1. Campaign group CO Awareness has organised a week of awareness raising activities to highlight carbon monoxide poisoning. CO Awareness week will be launched on Monday 17 November. Lord McKenzie will also be speaking at the event in Liverpool Town Hall on Friday 21 November.
2. One of the main problems with detecting CO poisoning is that symptoms can mimic many common illnesses, such as flu or even simple tiredness. HSE advise that key symptoms to look out for are drowsiness, headaches, breathlessness and vomiting.
3. HSE has responsibility for regulating consumer gas safety in GB and does this largely through the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR). 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 in their properties.
4. Gas installers undertaking gas installation and maintenance work must be registered with a body approved by HSE. HSE has announced that CAPITA has been awarded the contract to provide a new gas installer registration scheme in Great Britain from April 2009. Until then, gas installers must be registered with CORGI.
5. Audible CO detectors which comply with European standard EN50291, are strongly recommended, although not a substitute for regular checks and servicing by a registered gas installer.
6. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an issue that concerns a number of Government departments. A Ministerial Group on Gas Safety and CO has been set up to co-ordinate Government efforts on CO poisoning from all carbon - based fuels. The Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance (COCAA) formed in February 2007 brings together organisations across all fuel types to raise awareness of CO