A member of the Guild of Master Sweeps, Gary Atkins from Ipswich has fallen off a roof while fitting a cowl for a customer and may not walk again. Please help if you can.
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Gary-Atkins-Chimney-Sweep
A member of the Guild of Master Sweeps, Gary Atkins from Ipswich has fallen off a roof while fitting a cowl for a customer and may not walk again. Please help if you can.
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Gary-Atkins-Chimney-Sweep
Dean Baker, read our advert in the Registered Gas Engineer asking for the help of registered installers to raise awareness of gas safety and our CO Awareness competition for primary school children kindly sponsored by the Gas Distribution Networks.
Dean kindly held a local event on the 12th December to hand out flyers for our competition, leaflets including our leaflet about CO and made a Christmas tree out of pipes decorated with CO alarms to EN 50291 kindly donated by Honeywell. Dean Baker is on the right and Fiona Joyce on the left.
An interesting day. Zane, aged 7, died in February 2014 in Chertsey, Surrey. The cause of death is alleged to have been carbon monoxide poisoning but the family are convinced it was hydrogen cyanide. Today it was said that 25,000 parts per million of hydrogen cyanide were found at the time. New documents have recently been disclosed by the Environment Agency.
The inquest is due to be started on the 18th January 2016.
We recommended the QC Leslie Thomas who was there today representing the family with great determination and skill.
All the family wants is the truth for Zane.
An amazingly inspiring day. I was honoured to be asked to share it.
OCTOBER 2015
The BPEC Charity Life Award 2015 presents £41,525 to plumbing good causes
£41,525 has been given in charitable donations by training and certification provider, BPEC, to projects that use plumbing skills to enhance the lives others less fortunate either here in the UK or abroad.
At its fourth Life Award presentation ceremony held at Derbyshire County Cricket Club, on Friday 16th October and attended by over 100 representatives of the Plumbing Industry, The BPEC Charity made three major awards to deserving projects. In addition three other projects were supported via the BPEC ‘Legacy Fund’ that was launched last year. The legacy fund ensures projects supported by BPEC are sustainable over a longer period.
The BPEC Charity were also delighted to welcome Dean Buchanan as their guest speaker at the event. Dean is from Datum Foundation and he provided a wonderful insight into the progress being made on the new build school construction project in Malawi. The project was awarded the BPEC 2014 Life Award.
The BPEC Charity Life Award 2015 was presented to Emily Gait and Stephanie Moore from Pump Aid. The project being delivered is to build 10 new Elephant pumps across 10 communities in rural Malawi. Emily & Stephanie received an award of £15,000 from The BPEC Charity.
This award will help provide clean and safe drinking water for over 1,000 people. The funding will also assist in the delivery of health and maintenance training and help establish water point committees within the local communities.
The BPEC Charity also awarded £9,100 to Shane Trevitt to fund the ‘Township plumber trainer programme’ in Johannesburg, South Africa. This project will deliver a series of water and sanitation upgrades and start to train local people living in the township basic plumbing and maintenance skills.
£8,550 was presented earlier in the year to the ‘Friends of Sawbridgeworth Neurological centres’ to purchase two highly specialised shower chairs. The new shower chairs have already had a huge positive impact to the 120 residents, providing a comfortable and dignified means of using the bathroom facilities. Professor Sheila Henderson and Celine Austin attended the event on behalf of the Friends group.
BPEC Chairman Frank Glover said: “2015 has been another brilliant Life Award event; the panel of Trustees have been truly inspired by the submissions that have been received this year”.
Frank Glover went on to say: “The Life Award continues to have an inspirational effect on everyone connected with the projects and is changing perspectives and attitudes in a really positive way. The experience the Plumbers gain by being involved in the projects is immeasurable and helps to develop their skills to operate in today’s competitive marketplace”.
The BPEC Life Award is gathering momentum and is a true force for good in today’s society and the search has now started for applicants for the 2016 BPEC Charity Life Award. Everyone who works in or is connected to the UK Plumbing sector is encouraged to make a submission for consideration by the panel.
The closing date for applications for the 2016 BPEC Life Award is 30th June 2016.
BPEC (Training) Ltd otherwise known as the BPEC Charity is a registered charity committed to identifying the education and training needs of those who work in the Plumbing industry and providing innovative solutions to address their needs. The Life Award was launched in 2012, in memory of BPEC’s founding Chairman Raymond J Brooks, to reward and support those in the UK plumbing industry who use plumbing skills to enhance life.
There are two other opportunities for financial support from the BPEC Charity that’s open to everyone working in the UK plumbing industry; these are the Support Fund and the Sport Awards.
To find out more about submitting entries to any of the awards please visit:
www.bpec.org.uk/the-bpec-charity/
Ends
Notes to editors:
For more information please contact Neil Collishaw, Head of BPEC Charity
Press release issued by India Ward, Marketing Officer
For photos please contact India Ward.
The MEPs voted for legislation on safer tourism, particularly fire safety and carbon monoxide poisoning but the Commission has declined to take action. Nor has the British Government supported the principle of legislation. ABTA states it wants legislation but what lobbying efforts has it made?
CO-Gas Safety is very grateful that Linda McAvan MEP is still very keen that legislative action should be taken.
Met Bruno Vilela from EuCheMS, the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences. He very kindly sent me the following article which he wrote after the meeting.
See http://www.euchems.eu/euchems-calls-for-eradication-of-accidental-co-poisoning-for-safer-tourism/
Attended an oral evidence session with regard to energy efficiency. Submitted in writing our concerns that carbon powered appliances require oxygen or carbon monoxide will be emitted. Energy efficiency must not result in death by double glazing so that although carbon monoxide is very much on the periphery of the committee’s considerations, it is still extremely important.
Lawrence Slade CEO of Energy UK spoke well about energy efficiency but did not mention carbon monoxide.
Attended the launch. This was organised and chaired by Mary Creagh MP. Sharon Wood spoke very well and called for prime time TV warnings about CO. Met Peter Fankhauser briefly and did receive the impression that he wants to make a difference with this foundation.
IN THE WAKEFIELD CORONER’S COURT
3144/2006 – 3145/2006
INQUESTS TOUCHING THE DEATHS OF CHRISTIANNE SHEPHERD AND ROBERT SHEPHERD (DECEASED)
HELD FROM 27TH APRIL 2015 CONCLUDING ON 13TH MAY 2015
Before Senior Coroner, David Hinchliff
A Jury was duly sworn
REGULATION 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS
This report is being sent to:
Coroner
I am David Hinchliff, Senior Coroner for the Eastern Area of West Yorkshire.
Coroner’s Legal Powers
I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013.
INVESTIGATION and INQUEST
On 3rd November 2006 I opened Inquests touching the deaths of Christianne Shepherd, aged 7 and Robert Shepherd aged 6. The Inquest concluded on 13th May 2015. The Conclusion of the Inquest was in Narrative form as follows. The medical cause of death was 1(a) Carbon monoxide poisoning
The Conclusion was in Narrative form, namely:-
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH
Christianne and Robert Shepherd were taken on a half-term holiday from 22nd to 30th October 2006 by their father and his then partner, to the Greek island of Corfu. The Tour Operator was Thomas Cook. The family stayed at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in Gouvia. The allocated accommodation was a semi-detached bungalow situated in the grounds of the hotel. Water heating and air conditioning was from an LPG water heater located in a separate annex, which was attached to the bungalow. The water heater was badly installed and defective, and dangerous in that in-built safety devices had been deliberately disconnected. The water heater had not been serviced or maintained, causing carbon monoxide fumes to escape into the bungalow through defective building and piping. Whilst occupying the bungalow all the occupants were victims of carbon monoxide poisoning causing the deaths of the children and the near deaths of the adults.
CORONER’S CONCERNS
During the course of the Inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you.
The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows:-
That the Government should do its utmost to encourage and promote through legislation and improvement of safety standards across Europe, which would require hotel owners and other holiday accommodation providers to install carbon monoxide detectors in accommodation, which has individual gas appliances, whether or not the said appliances are inside guests’ sleeping accommodation or immediately adjacent thereto.
I am aware that recent attempts to introduce such legislation has not progressed. It is my desire that this recommendation should produce a renewed initiative for EU legislation requiring the installation of carbon monoxide detectors by Tour Operators and holiday accommodation providers.
ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe your organisation have the power to take such action.
YOUR RESPONSE
You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by Monday 16th November 2015. I, the Coroner, may extend the period.
Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise, you must explain why no action is proposed.
COPIES and PUBLICATION
I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following interested persons:
I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response.
The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest. You may make representations to me, the Coroner, at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner.
18 September 2015
……………………………………………. Senior Coroner, West Yorkshire (Eastern Area)
Death and CO
Upstairs, a family of four lay in their beds. Quiet filled the house.
For a long time the killer had patiently waited. Now, downstairs in their kitchen- silent murder was food for thought. He was sure to be never caught.
Like a vapour he slid under the kitchen doorway. Running cold dirty fingers against the walls always. His trade mark black marks. In the darkness of the hallway- he encountered red blinking eyes. Restless and alert -it was the smoke detector ready set to scream, protecting sleeping families.
The pair of eyes could only watch Paralysed, as the killer creeps up the stairs. He was in his element here.
Blink twice and he’s missed. The invisible criminal.
Often socially mistaken he’s tasteless.
Normally exhausted- fatigue always reported.
NHS caution: nausea, dizziness, distortion.
Like a sarcophagus mummys coughing in her sleep
Daddy is lethargic, can hardly move his feet
Children choke, like respiratory disease
Boiler’s yellow flame means combustion incomplete
Something must be wrong when the canary doesn’t tweet.
Carbon monoxide concentration is sending you to sleep.
By Samuel Spence
About the author
My name is Samuel Spence and I attend Dartford grammar sixth form. I enjoy short stories, spoken word and rap. I was emotionally moved when I heard about the carbon monoxide poisoning that occurred at Thomas Cooke earlier this year (note by Stephanie – deaths occured in 2006 but the inquest was in 2015), and I felt a compulsion to respond in a creative manner that could help raise awareness. The piece of work that I have attached is the result. I have tried my best to convey a sense of peril and a chilling reminder about the ‘silent killer’.
Thank you Samuel.
Please see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHp4nMZKub8 and please let Stephanie know what you think about this by email office@co-gassafety.co.uk