Promoting Well Being

MEDIA STATEMENT 9^TH AUGUST 2010

HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND (HSENI) GAS SAFETY

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Following last week’s tragedy in Castlerock, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is today issuing a public safety announcement.

As part of its ongoing major investigation, HSENI’s Gas Safety Team has established that an LPG appliance in the flat in Tunnel Brae Court in Castlerock was defective.   HSENI is continuing to carry out checks in other premises in the Castlerock and Coleraine areas.

In order to determine the level of risk that exists to public safety and to quickly minimise any further risks, HSENI is working with its industry stakeholders to contact LPG customers who may be affected.

As an additional precaution, HSENI is advising that if you have had gas work carried out in your home or premises by George Brown, trading as George Brown of ‘The Calor Shop’ in Coleraine, that you switch off all your gas appliances and contact HSENI’s emergency helpline number - 0800 0320 121.

Please note that the ‘The Calor Shop’ is an entirely separate legal entity to Calor Gas (NI) Limited.

HSENI reiterates its general guidelines with regards to gas safety:

• If you’re displaying any of the following symptoms - headache, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, loss of consciousness, you should seek medical help immediately.

• Contact your local Gas Safe Registered engineer and request a full gas safety check. You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting www.gassaferegister.co.uk or by calling 0800 408 5500

• Install an audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarm as a further precautionary measure.

The HSENI Emergency Helpline will operate from 8am until midnight.

As large volumes of calls are expected in the first 48 hours, HSENI asks that only members of the public with specific emergency safety concerns use this helpline. 

Ends

Media contacts:

Shona Jago-Curtis/Imelda McAloon

LJK Communications

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Telephone: 02890 427 004 or 07824 636 926