Logic Certification has launched a Gas Safety Awareness Course for Cavity Wall & Loft Insulation Installers and/or External Cladding Installers to help prevent tragic incidences like the recently highlighted case of 83 year old pensioner, Joyce Moore, who died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning following cavity wall insulation blocking her boiler.
The course will help learners understand the risks associated with gas and other fossil fuel appliances and has become increasingly relevant owing to take-up of insulation and cladding thanks to the Green Deal and ECO.
The installers of Joyce’s insulation, HIS Energy, have been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The cavity wall insulation in question was installed on October 9, 2012. When the boiler was checked a pile of insulation beads was noticed at the back. Two managers were made aware of the issue, but neither of them arranged for a gas engineer to visit the property that evening.
When Mrs Moore’s son turned the heating on later that day, he noticed he was feeling dizzy - he went to check on his mother and she had sadly died. Mrs Moore's son and two paramedics were also hospitalised after tests found high levels of CO in their blood.
Although Mrs Moore's son was advised not to use the boiler, the company failed to make him aware of the potentially fatal consequences of turning on the heating. HIS Energy also failed to make sure the boiler was switched off before its employees left the property, failed to leave a warning notice on the boiler or with the homeowner, and failed to alert National Grid or a gas engineer, despite this being standard industry guidance
The HSE investigation found HIS Energy did not provide adequate guidance for its employees on what to do if a boiler flue became blocked. The job packs in the company van contained examples of warning notices, but there were no actual notices, which could be given to homeowners or stuck on boilers.
HIS Energy, which has since gone into voluntary liquidation, was found guilty of a single breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £500,000 and ordered to pay £24,968.44 in prosecution costs.
Gas safety is not just essential for gas installers, anyone involved in building work, or responsible for the upkeep of properties must have a thorough understanding of the risks associated with gas and fossil fuel appliances.
The Gas Safety Awareness Course for Cavity Wall & Loft Insulation Installers and/or External Cladding Installers, joins our other gas safety awareness courses, including:
Level 2 Gas Safety Awareness in Residential Premises
Level 4 Gas Safety Management in Residential Premises
Level 2 Gas Safety Awareness in Social Housing
Level 4 Gas Safety Management in Social Housing
Level 4 Gas Safety Management in Catering Premises
Level 4 Gas Safety Management in Non Domestic Catering Premises
Level 4 Gas Safety Management in Non Domestic Plant and Appliances
Level 4 Gas Safety Management in LPG Caravan and Park Home Sites