§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information, advice and facilities will be made available to(a) the relatives of victims and (b) victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, and by whom, after the introduction of competition in the domestic gas supply market. [2004]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordAll carbon monoxide, CO, fatalities that are notified to the Health and Safety Executive will continue to be investigated. The question of whether the industry will have a duty to conduct separate investigations into CO deaths has yet to be agreed by the Health and Safety Commission. HSE inspectors will continue to follow the general HSE policy of keeping interested parties, including those affected by CO poisoning and the families of victims, informed of progress with the investigations; informing them of any legal proceedings to be taken; liaising closely with the police and coroners courts in the case of fatal accidents; and liaising with the crown Prosecution Service if manslaughter charges should be considered. HSE inspectors also issued the leaflet "Advice to Bereaved Families" in respect of all work-related fatalities.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what procedures the public gas transporters and emergency service providers will adopt to deal with carbon monoxide poisoning after the introduction of competition in the domestic gas supply market. [2006]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordRegulation 6(1) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangers Occurrences Regulations 1985 require suppliers of flammable gas to notify the Health Safety Executive forthwith of any incident notified to them, which has led to a death or other specified condition arising from exposure to carbon monoxide, CO from the incomplete combustion of gas. The supplier is also required to make a report in writing within 14 days.
It is proposed that a revision to RIDDOR, which is expected to come into force on 1 April 1996, will transfer the duty to notify and report to HSE from suppliers to gas conveyors.
The Health and Safety Commission issued a consultative document on draft Gas Safety (Management) Regulations in July 1995. One of the proposals was that when a gas conveyor is notified of a suspected or actual release of CO, it should attend the premises to make the situation safe.
The HSC will shortly be considering the results of the consultation exercise, including the arrangements for dealing with CO poisoning incidents. It is intended that the new regulations will come into force on 1 April 1996.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who will have responsibility for investigating cases of carbon monoxide poisoning after728W the introduction of competition in the domestic gas market. [2007]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe Health and Safety Commission issued a consultative document in July 1995 on the draft Gas Safety (Management) Regulations. One of the proposals on which the commission specifically sought views was that a duty should be placed on gas suppliers to investigate carbon monoxide poisoning incidents.
The HSC will shortly be considering the results of the consultation exercise, including the arrangements for dealing with CO poisoning incidents. It is intended that the new regulations will come into force on 1 April 1996.