Oral - Deaths as a Result of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

I am pleased to make this statement today as it highlights a serious issue – the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide gas is produced by burning fuel. As we know, it is poisonous and even breathing in a small amount can cause loss of consciousness and death. In the UK, more than 50 people die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning every year.
As it has no smell or colour, carbon monoxide is hard to detect. It is therefore easy to breathe in without realising.
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal and wood don't burn fully. When a fire burns in an enclosed room, the oxygen in the room is gradually used up and replaced with carbon dioxide. Following a build up of carbon dioxide in the air, the fuel is prevented from burning fully, and starts releasing carbon monoxide instead.
The most common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is due to inadequate ventilation or poor maintenance of heating appliances in the home. Gas stoves, fires and boilers, gas powered water heaters, paraffin heaters, solid fuel powered stoves, boilers and room heaters are all potential sources. Carbon monoxide gas can be given off when an appliance is not working properly, if the flue is blocked or leaking, or if the room is not sufficiently ventilated.

By law, social and private landlords are generally responsible for making sure that gas fittings and flues are maintained in good order, and gas appliances and flues are checked for safety once in a period of 12 months. They must also keep a record of the safety checks for at least two years and issue the latest certificate to existing tenants and any new tenants before they move in. Regular safety checks on heating installations are also a requirement of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard applicable to all social housing landlords in Wales.

In the private rented sector, guidance on the Housing Health and Safety Rating System clearly states that landlords are responsible for the purposes of enforcement for the provision and proper working condition of gas, solid fuel and oil appliances.
While carbon monoxide detectors provide a useful means of protection, they are no substitute for properly maintained appliances and flues.

New research suggests that faulty gas appliances are still being used in many homes and that public awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning risks is worryingly low.

The most reliable way of checking carbon monoxide levels in the home is to install a carbon monoxide detector. These are available from most DIY and hardware stores. However they cannot be relied upon entirely as they are a warning system and not a replacement for regularly servicing appliances. Nevertheless, they can help save lives.

Health and Safety is not generally devolved to Wales and there are no regulations requiring the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in homes. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are currently reviewing Domestic Gas Safety in the UK and Welsh Assembly Government officials are working with the HSE in that review to produce proposals that will put in place a modern, effective gas safety regime.

Without wishing to prejudge the outcome of the Gas Safety review, I am considering what can be done to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to vulnerable households in Wales.

The Fire and Rescue Service are aiming to conduct around 50,000 Home Safety Checks in Wales this coming year. I will be asking the next meeting of the Wales Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Committee to consider what can be done to raise awareness and protect against carbon monoxide poisoning to vulnerable households including homes in multiple occupation (HMOs).

I also want to talk to local authorities about HMOs and what is known about the risks for that sector. I want to explore what opportunities might exist through their liaison with private landlord groups, their activities in respect of licensing and the health and safety rating to raise awareness of the need for action.

There may also be opportunities to help vulnerable households through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) and I have asked EAGA partnership, who run the scheme, to look at how advice on and protection against carbon monoxide poisoning can be included.   They have been asked to consider areas such as installing detectors, the possibility of including a general health check based around the Scheme’s existing Annual Service Visit to encompass any existing gas appliances, and advice literature.

I will update the Social Justice and Regeneration Committee in the New Year on the result of these deliberations and my conclusions as to practical action the Assembly Government might take on preventing deaths by carbon monoxide.