Glass Oven Doors

HC Deb 25 January 1995 vol 253 cc225-6W

Mr. David Young

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cases have been reported of exploding glass oven doors; what safety monitoring of ovens with such doors has taken place; and what action is being taken by his Department.

Mr. Ian Taylor

[holding answer 24 January 1995]: The number of incidents involving exploding glass oven doors which have been reported to my Department's consumer safety unit is:

Year	Number
1984	12
1985	25
1986	32
1987	28
1988	34
1989	9

Year	Number
1990	10
1991	8
1992	2
1993	2
1994	3

Although very few injuries occurred, the increase in the number of reported incidents between 1984 and 1988 prompted my Department to discuss the problem with industry. This led to a significant improvement to British standard 3193—specification for thermally toughened glass panels for use in domestic appliances. Improvements were also made in the way in which glass doors are attached to cookers, and both aspects are reflected in the reduced number of incidents since that time.

Although there has been a significant reduction in the number of incidents reported since 1989, my Department continue to monitor the situation and to contribute to the relevant European standards—CEN and CENELEC—safety committees on cookers and glass which now fully reflect the British standard.