Latest News - 3 July 2006

NEW INQUIRY INTO AWARENESS OF 'SILENT KILLER'

The All Party Gas Safety Group announces today a new inquiry into awareness of the silent killer, carbon monoxide. The inquiry will be led by group officers, Barry Sheerman MP and Maria Miller MP.

Every year about 30 people die in the UK from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed or maintained. Many other people also suffer ill health as a consequence of CO poisoning. The All Party Gas Safety Group is taking action to establish the link between CO awareness and safety, and assess how improvements can be made to save lives in the future.

The inquiry will examine a number of issues around the following key questions:

  • How has carbon monoxide awareness impacted on gas safety?
  • What commitments have been made to improve carbon monoxide awareness and gas safety?
  • What examples are there of best practice in awareness raising?
  • How much funding is available for awareness campaigns?
  • What next steps should be undertaken to improve public awareness?
  • How reliable are statistics on incidents, deaths, and the effects of long-term CO poisoning?

Announcing the inquiry, Barry Sheerman MP said:

“Following the tragic death of a young boy in my constituency from carbon monoxide poisoning I have become convinced that one of the most effective ways of preventing deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning is by raising awareness amongst consumers. The All Party Group has been working for a number of years with a range of stakeholders to raise awareness of the dangers. This inquiry will allow us to look at what work has already been undertaken, as well as examples of best practice in this area. Crucially, it will also consider campaign funding and how awareness can be improved in the future”.

An evidence session will take place on 4 July 2006 in Committee Room 17 in the House of Commons, at which the inquiry panel will question representatives from the energy industry, consumer-safety groups and CORGI. A further session with the Health and Safety Minister, Lord Hunt, will take place on 5 July 2006. Members of the press are welcome to attend either of these sessions.

Organisations and other interested parties are invited to submit written evidence, setting out their views on this issue.

NOTES TO EDITORS

  1. The HSC/E’s Fundamental Review of Gas Safety (2000) set out a number of recommendations related to CO awareness.
  2. The HSC has recently launched a follow-up Review of Domestic Gas Safety (2006). The Group will publish a report following the inquiry which will contribute to its submission to the HSE’s Fundamental Review of Gas Safety (2006).
  3. The All Party Gas Safety Group receives secretariat support from CORGI via the public affairs company, AS Biss & Co.