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HSE warn of rogue gas installers
The Health and Safety Executive is keen to remind anyone having gas work carried out that they use a CORGI registered installer. HM Health and Safety Inspector Mr Fussell said " by law, anyone carrying out work on gas appliances or fittings as part of their business must be competent and registered with CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers).
Mr Fussell said " We are currently investigating a number of incidences in Ashford and the surrounding area, where gas fitters have carried out unregistered gas work and claimed to be CORGI registered. The penalties for these offences are severe and range from prosecution to imprisonment." Mr Fussell prosecuted one such installer, who appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on 27th April 2007. The installer, Westley Maplesden, installed a new boiler at a local Ashford animal charity, Sugarloaf Animal Sanctuary, in Ruckinge. The owner Mrs Janet Buckley received carbon monoxide poisoning, and was taken to hospital for treatment, and it is fortunate that a family member arrived at the sanctuary before Mrs Buckley could receive fatal levels of carbon monoxide. Mr Maplesden had left the gas installation with numerous faults and was not CORGI registered to work on LPG gas.
Mr Maplesden was fined £4000.
Mr Fussell went on to add " People should check their installer or fitter is registered by asking to see their current CORGI photo ID card which has a photo of the installer, their CORGI registration number, their trading title and the expiry date of the card. The reverse of the card details what kind of gas work the installer is able to do. You can also ring CORGI on 01256 372300 or log onto the CORGI website on http://www.corgi-gas.com" Every year about 30 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained."
Many others also suffer ill health. When gas does not burn properly, as with other fuels such as coal, wood or oil, excess CO is produced which is poisonous.
You can't see it, taste it or smell it but CO can kill without warning in just a matter of hours.
Symptoms of CO can include tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, giddiness, nausea, vomiting, pains in the chest, breathlessness, stomach pains, erratic behaviour and visual problems. These symptoms can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused as flu, or simple tiredness. If you or your family experience the above symptoms and you believe CO may be involved you must seek urgent medical advice. Your doctor will need to test you for a blood or breath sample. Be aware, CO quickly leaves the blood and tests may be inaccurate if taken more than four hours after exposure has ceased.
All gas consumers are advised to have appliances checked for safety at least every 12 months by a CORGI-registered installer (Council for Registered Gas Installers).
You are at risk from CO poisoning if:
* Your appliance was poorly installed
* Your appliance is not working properly
* Your appliance has not been checked for safety or maintained regularly
* There is not enough fresh air in the room
* Your chimney or flue gets blocked up
* You allow non-CORGI registered engineers to install or maintain your appliance(s)
Signs to look out for include:
* Yellow or brown staining around, or on appliances
* Pilot lights that frequently blow out
* Increased condensation inside windows
* Yellow rather than blue flame (apart from flueless fires)
If you think your appliance is spilling CO
* Switch off the appliance and do not reuse until remedial action has been taken
* Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room - do not sleep in it
* Visit your GP urgently and tell them that you believe your symptoms may be related to CO poisoning and request either a blood and/or breath sample
* Contact a CORGI registered installer to make repairs
Issued on behalf of Health and Safety Executive by Government News Network South East
Sent: 01/05/2007 10:18:00
Email us direct at: repairs@londonheatingservices.co.uk
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