AUTUmN/WiNTER 2010 ISSUE 20 (PDF) - Energy Safe Victoria

ESV issues importantsafety advice on theuse and care of gasheaters.Following the deaths of two young boys from suspectedcarbon monoxide poisoning at Mooroopna near Sheppartonin early June, ESV issued the following safety advice as amedia release.A prominent link to the advice was also placed on the front pageof the ESV website.> > Appliances must be serviced, checked and regularly maintainedby a licensed or registered gasfitter every two years at least.> > Gas heaters must be checked to make sure they are safe beforewinter.> > Owners of properties with gas heaters must be aware of thepossibility of the presence of carbon monoxide (CO), and the risksit poses.> > Faulty, unserviced gas heaters can cause carbon monoxide to beproduced. If carbon monoxide spills into the room because of arange of issues including an obstruction in the flue terminal or theventilation is inadequate, carbon monoxide poisoning may occur.> > Carbon monoxide is invisible and has no smell or taste.> > A blue flame burning within the heater is normally an indication ofa good flame, but the gasfitter must have a combustion analyser /detector to detect and measure CO and either carbon dioxide oroxygen to confirm that the combustion is good. A yellow or sootyflame indicates a faulty heater.> > Small children are more susceptible to CO poisoning than adults.> > The gasfitter must have a carbon monoxide (CO) analyser /detector that has been calibrated correctly in the required timeframe to detect CO. The CO reading must be less than 10 partsper million (ppm).> > CO can build up in a small room such as a bathroom or toilet veryquickly if the spillage is excessive and there’s no ventilation. Fora larger room such as a living room, it would take longer for theCO to build up if CO spillage is excessive and there’s no ventilation.> > It is essential to ensure adequate flowing ventilation through aproperty even if the heater is working properly. Doorways andwindows should never be sealed up.> > There have been six known deaths in Victoria (excluding theMooroopna tragedy which is under Coronial investigation) fromCO poisoning in the last few years.> > ESV is also aware of countless near misses where people havenearly died from carbonmonoxide poisoning.> > There have been instanceswhere people suffering fromCO poisoning have not beenappropriately diagnosedby their doctor. Not alldoctors are fully aware of thesymptoms of CO poisoning.VictorianGovernment’splan to boostgreen industriesThe Victorian Government announced in late April that peoplein regional Victoria will benefit from more jobs and greaterinvestment in green industries as a result of a $175 millionsubsidy scheme to help industry.The 18 point plan titled Jobs for the Future Economy ActionPlan which outlines Victoria’s next steps to develop industries for thefuture, secure jobs and foster new skills was launched by PremierJohn Brumby in Bendigo.He said the plan Jobs for the Future Economy focuses on five key areas:> > Securing more jobs in construction by promoting high standards indesign and construction in commercial buildings and new homes;> > Securing more green jobs in energy by supporting the developmentand uptake of renewable energy that will reduce carbon emissions andsecure green jobs;> > Driving low emissions industry growth by removing barriers toinvestment, fostering new markets and cutting “green” tape throughsmarter regulation;> > Developing sustainability skills by supporting training in sustainableskills for tradespeople; and,> > Promoting innovation through new research and industry scienceprojects and investment in electric vehicle trials.Protect has moved andhas a new phone number1 3 0 0 3 4 4 2 4 9Protect is now operatingfrom new premises atGround Level200 Arden StreetNorth MelbourneVIC 3051Our new fax number is03 9326 8736Severance claim enquiriescan be made through theProtect contact centre on1300 344 24923Autumn/Winter 2010 ISSUE 20PO Box 482North MelbourneVIC 3051admin@protect.net.auwww.protect.net.auCO measuring equipment beingprepared at the Mooroopna property.