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 16^th 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 30^th 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

1. 01332 376005 m. 07715 896845 e. ncollishaw@bpec.org.uk

 

Press release issued by India Ward, Marketing Officer

1. iward@bpec.org.uk

 

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 27^TH APRIL 2015 CONCLUDING ON 13^TH 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:

 

• Thomas Cook Group c/o Fieldfisher LLP Solicitors, Riverbank House, 2 Swan Lane, London, EC4R 3TT

 

• Louis Group including the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel c/o of Hill Dickinson LLP Solicitors, The Broadgate Tower, 20 Primrose Street, London, EC2A 2EW

 

• The Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 100 Parliament Street, London, SW1A 2BQ

 

• The Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH

 

• The Federation of Tour Operators, Graphic House, 14-16 Sussex Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4EA

 

• The Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry, 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ET

 

• ABTA – The Travel Association, 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ

 

 

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 3^rd November 2006 I opened Inquests touching the deaths of Christianne Shepherd, aged 7 and Robert Shepherd aged 6. The Inquest concluded on 13^th 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:-

 

1. Incorrectly installed and badly maintained boiler
2. Fuel protection device disconnected deliberately
3. Air conditioning pipes badly fitted
4. Hotel misled/lied to the Tour Operator about gas supplied to the hotel bungalows
5. Resort Audit carried out in 2004 by the Tour Operator was inadequate
6. Monthly Health and Safety Audit form inadequate, did not reflect the Tour Operator’s Health and Safety Policy/Guidelines
7. Resort Staff not given enough Health and Safety information regarding how to identify the presence of gas/electric water heaters
8. Resort Audit in 2004 was incomplete, checks not carried out vigilantly as stated in the Tour Operator’s Training Manual (Boiler room not identified)
9. The Tour Operator breached their duty of care

 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

 

Christianne and Robert Shepherd were taken on a half-term holiday from 22^nd to 30^th 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:-

 

1. An on-line and publically accessible Central Register should be introduced to compel all Tour Operators to record and maintain up-to-date information relating to energy sources and the annual service history for all hotels, apartments and holiday premises used by Tour Operators. This information and the entries recorded on the Central Register should be taken from a form completed by the Tour Operator at the time of contracting with the hotelier or other holiday premises provider. The Tour Operator must carry out an audit at least once in a 12 month period.

 

2. In most situations a hotel, apartment or other holiday premises will be used by more than one Tour Operator. In this event a system should be devised for Tour Operators to work in collaboration with communicate and actively share information pertaining to Health and Safety issues.

 

3. There should be awareness raising and Health and Safety promotion activities undertaken to make travellers aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and to promote the benefits of travelling with a portable carbon monoxide detection device. This could effectively be achieved by being linked to promotion of the E111 European Health Insurance Card Scheme.

 

4. The responsibility for Health and Safety checks should not be delegated to Tour Representatives who are often inexperienced and over worked and will lack the time, knowledge and commitment to carry out this task. The responsibility for this should be by suitably qualified specialists in Health and Safety. Furthermore, and where appropriate, this should include suitably qualified and experienced specialists, in particular experts of Health and Safety, e.g. gas safety.   Such specialists should visit the relevant accommodation and carry out full and detailed Health and Safety checks, the reports from which should be publically accessible. In organisations that do not have suitable in-house personnel for this purpose then suitably qualified and experienced Consultants should be instructed.

 

5. Arising from recommendation (4) above, Tour Operators and the owners and controllers of hotels, apartments and holiday premises should devise and/or subscribe to suitable Health and Safety accreditation ratings.

 

6. Within the structure and hierarchy of every provider of hotels, apartments and holiday premises there should be a robust internal structure for a system of management, supervision support and training in respect of Health and Safety issues.

 

7. All holiday brochures and travel promotional literate and Health and Safety information should be written in clear, easy to understand language and should make specific reference to the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, and make reference to safeguards that travellers should adopt.

 

8. That the relevant UK Government department should consult, draft, instigate and implement EU legislation on gas installations and carbon monoxide safety, and introduce common minimal standards for all hotels, apartments and other holiday premises.

 

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.

 

9. I acknowledge that to introduce legislation as recommended herein may be a slow and tedious procedure, which may, as has previously happened, fail. I therefore recommend that the travel industry, although supporting and providing their own initiative to relevant government departments. The industry should, nevertheless, endeavour to regulate itself by introducing industry wide initiatives and improvements in the Health and Safety of holiday makers, particularly with regard to carbon monoxide poisoning issues. Thomas Cook, one of the largest providers of holiday accommodation in the world should be at the forefront of such initiatives to create industry wide protocols and initiatives on the lines that legislation would introduce, should that ever occur.

 

10. It is my understanding that ABTA, The Travel Association, to whom this report is being sent, produces the ABTA Technical Guide for Accommodation Suppliers, which has a section dedicated for fuel management, and is reviewed every five years. This will next be reviewed in 2016. These recommendations, where relevant to ABTA’s review, are timely and I recommend that where relevant my concerns listed at (1) to (9) herein, should be considered and incorporated in the next edition.

 

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 16^th 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:

 

• Stephanie Trotter, OBE, President and Director of CO-Gas Safety, Priory Cottage South, Priory Road, Seaview, Isle of Wight, PO34 5BU

 

• Mary Creagh MP, Member of Parliament for Wakefield, 20-22 Cheapside, Wakefield, WF1 2TF

 

• David Weston, Chief Executive of The Bed and Breakfast Organisation, Belfry House, Batts Field, Bruton, BA10 0DX

 

• Linda McAvan MEP, 79 High Street, Wath-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S63 7QB

 

• Professor the Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group, House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PN

 

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

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2015 are through and came into force on the 1^st October 2015. Please see Hansard http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201516/ldhansrd/lhan43.pdf from page 1720 to the end.

We supported these regulations (because we support anything that will save lives) but they will only affect  ‘354,000 Private Rented properties with solid fuel, or 8.6% of the total.’. However, we think the comments by the Lords, particularly those by Lord Hunt and Lord McKenzie are helpful as was the personal experience of one the friends of Earl Cathcart.

As was reported on Sky by Neil Shepherd, father of Christi and Bobby, the children who died of CO in 2006 in Corfu, there were substantial donations made to several charities including independent registered charity CO-Gas Safety.
CO-Gas Safety is extremely grateful for this valuable donation to assist the charity to continue its work of preventing deaths and injuries from unintentional CO poisoning.
However, the amount of the donation although extremely welcome is not life changing for the charity, which will continue to do its work in a similar way. CO-Gas Safety still has no assured, continuous funding to collect, collate and publish data and provide victim support which it has done since 1995. Therefore all the work, apart from a small amount of paid work by our database officer, will still be done by volunteers. The charity’s directors are still considering the best use for these funds but the initial decision is to simply continue to do what the charity has always done.