LIVING in poor quality rented accommodation can seriously damage your
health, or even kill you. Every year since 1989 up to three people have
died in Scotland because of faulty gas appliances.
The victims are usually students or young people living in multi-let
accommodation with inadequate gas equipment.
Reputable rental agents have welcomed the launch of a nationwide
publicity campaign to alert the public to the sometimes fatal danger of
carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty gas appliances, especially in
rented accommodation.
Mounted by the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, the
campaign outlines new gas safety laws.
John Henry, HSE principal inspector, based in Edinburgh, said: ''It is
tragic when anyone's life is cut short in this way, but especially when
so many of the victims are students and other young people.''
That loss of life is the reason for the campaign and proves the need
for the new regulations, which came into force on October 31. Now, for
the first time, landlords are required to have gas appliances in their
properties checked for safety at least once a year, and to ensure that a
safety check is carried out by a competent installer registered with the
Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI).
In addition, CORGI installers are now required to inform both the
landlord and the tenant when a dangerous appliance has been identified.
The landlord must now show the safety check record to the tenant if
asked.
Mr Henry added: ''The new regulations will not be fully effective
unless the public are aware of the dangers posed by carbon monoxide and
of the protection that the new regulations offer. The Government and the
Health and Safety Commission are at one with the Gas Safety Action Group
on this.''
HSE's publicity campaign includes press, cinema and TV advertising. A
short film produced by HSE depicts a female student dying from carbon
monoxide poisoning. The message is straightforward -- regular
maintenance of gas appliances saves lives.
Catherine Taylor, president of the Students Association at St Andrews
University, said: ''It is good t o know that the new legislation will
ensure that gas appliances in rented accommodation are checked and
tested at least once a year.''
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulation 1994, which came into
force on October 31, consolidates and updates existing gas safety
legislation of 1984 and 1990. The new regulations deal with the
installation and use of gas appliances in domestic and commercial
property.
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