30/04/2013
Gas Safety Management Conference 2013 calls for an increased awareness by senior management in social housing of Corporate Manslaughter responsibilities coupled with more robust procedures and policies for maintenance and audit of gas appliances
A packed Gas Safety Management Conference of 180 Gas Managers, collectively responsible for 1.5 million homes across the UK, heard from a line-up of top speakers who called for senior management in social housing to have an increased awareness of their Corporate Manslaughter responsibilities. They also called for more robust procedures and policies to be in place for the maintenance and audit of gas appliances and to take greater action on Carbon Monoxide awareness.
The Conference took place at The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield on Wednesday 24 April and was attended by senior managers with responsibility for gas safety working for Housing Associations and other organisations. Organised by CORGI Technical Services, the Conference also brought together members of the Association of Gas Safety Managers and the Inter Authority Gas Forums.
Keynote speaker David Kidney, who is the Chair of the Carbon Monoxide All Fuels Action Forum and a former MP and DECC Minister, said: “Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is a dangerous, silent threat. The response of all in social housing must be to be smart, effective and united. We need to raise awareness with both tenants and staff to help change behaviour. Gas-safety regulation needs to be extended to ensure that CO deaths and injuries are stopped.”
Chris Bielby MBE, the first President of the Association of Gas Safety Managers went further: “I believe that CO alarms should be mandatory for all properties that are the responsibility of Housing Associations. Maintenance of gas appliances by qualified engineers is the key and the correct policies and procedures must be in place to ensure they are properly maintained and audited. CO alarms are also crucial – there is much more that can be done to raise awareness of the dangers.”
Chris Bielby was joined by Stacey Rodgers of the Dominic Rodgers Trust who gave a very moving account of her tragic experience ten years ago when her ten year old son died of carbon monoxide poisoning from a leak from a downstairs flat. She is now a passionate campaigner for raising awareness of the need for installing CO alarms.
The important issue of Corporate Manslaughter was addressed by Sally Roff of DAC Beachcroft, who has been involved with the preparation of responses to the Corporate Manslaughter Bill. “Knowledge and awareness of responsibilities at a senior level within social housing are key,” she said. “It is not a defence to say that you didn’t know about what is happening in your organisation or that you didn’t know of your responsibilities. A court would presume you have that level of knowledge. Only three companies have ever been convicted of Corporate Manslaughter, but one judge has made it quite clear that any company that was convicted, would have the level of fine set at such a height that is would ensure the company went out of business.”
During the inaugural National Inter-Authority Gas Forum session, Kevin Winship, Technical Safety Manager for CORGI Technical Services drew delegates’ attention to a specific issue that was creating concern – the responsibility of landlords for fires and cookers within properties, including those belonging to tenants. “Landlords have duties on any appliance that the tenant cannot legally remove as well as any that has been left by a departing tenant,” he said. “Unsafe equipment needs to be rectified or removed before a new tenancy starts. Putting in place best practice processes, having a thorough understanding of the regulations and ensuring maintenance procedures are carried out correctly will mitigate the risks that could be encountered.”
Claire Heyes, Joint CEO of CORGI Technical Services addressed the key role of Gas Managers in delivering safe gas work to social housing tenants and organisations. “Having the correct gas-safe policies and procedures in place, in particular through regular maintenance, inspection and an increased awareness of the issues through regular updates and training, will increase safety in all areas within social housing.”
“Gas Managers are skilled, knowledgeable, committed and responsible people,” she continued. “We set up this Conference to help develop the profession, allow Managers to discuss topical issues, share thoughts and experiences and to determine the actions to be taken forward as an industry. We are delighted with the response – there was a real buzz to the Conference and an enormous appetite from all involved to build on this for the future.”
