Carbon Monoxide Risks

• For the 24 hour National Gas Service Emergency Helpline call 0800 111 999 
• For Health and Safety Executive Gas Safety advice call 0800 300 363 

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal. Carbon-based fuels are safe to use. It is only when the fuel does not burn properly that excess carbon monoxide is produced, which is poisonous.

Carbon monoxide is very dangerous as you can’t see it, taste it or smell it but it can kill quickly without warning.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, giddiness, nausea, vomiting, chest pains, breathlessness, stomach pains, erratic behaviour and visual problems. These symptoms can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused with flu or simple tiredness.

You are at risk when:

• Appliances are poorly installed – always use registered engineers
• Appliances are not working properly – do not continue to use an appliance if it starts to malfunction and get appliances looked at before using again
• Appliances have not been checked for safety or maintained regularly – make sure you get your appliances serviced regularly
• There is not enough fresh air in the room – always ventilate rooms well
• Your chimney or flue gets blocked – always have your chimneys and flues regularly serviced
• Non-gas safety registered engineers install or maintain your appliance(s) – ensure you only use safety registered engineers

What are the signs of carbon monoxide leakage?

• Yellow or brown staining around, or on appliances
• Pilot lights that frequently blow out
• Increased condensation inside windows
• Yellow rather than blue flame (apart from flueless fires)

What should you do if you think one of your appliances is spilling carbon monoxide?

• Switch off the appliance and do not reuse until it has been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer
• Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room
• Do not smoke or switch on lights and turn off any naked flames
• If a employee or colleague is suffering any of the symptoms, get them to their GP urgently informing them that their symptoms may be related to carbon monoxide poisoning and request either a blood and/or breath sample
• Contact a gas safety registered installer to make repairs

For further information on carbon monoxide visit the Health and Safety Executive website