Low awareness prompts action on gas safety

The government has announced a new scheme to improve domestic gas safety, after a review found low public awareness of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning from gas appliances.

There were 16 fatal and around 200 non-fatal gas-related carbon monoxide poisonings in 2005/06, but a survey of 600 London homes discovered 100 appliances to be “immediately dangerous” and disconnected them from the gas supply.

Now the Health and Safety Executive, which commissioned the survey and is responsible for gas safety, is to set up a new registration scheme for installers of gas appliances. A private company will be appointed in the coming months to operate the new scheme for a five-year period.