Launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group and the Carbon Monoxide All Fuels Action Forum

The All-Party Parliamentary Gas Safety Group was re-launched on October 15 as the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG), in order to highlight the Group’s focus on tackling carbon monoxide from all fuels. A new industry forum was also launched – the Carbon Monoxide All Fuels Action Forum. This will support, and be supported by, the efforts of many organisations to achieve its vision to reduce deaths and injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Steering Group of the Forum is made up of representatives from industry, not for profit and charitable groups, Government and Parliament who bring the wealth of knowledge within their respective organisations to tackle this issue.

Barry Sheerman MP, co-chair of the APPCOG, introduced the event, and presented the group’s new focus in preventing carbon monoxide from all fuels, including solid fuel and BBQs.

Attendees then watched a moving video produced by the Katie Haines Memorial Trustabout the necessity of fitting a CO alarm. Gordon Samuel, father of Katie Haines, and trustee of the Katie Haines Memorial Trust, spoke about the importance of raising public awareness and understanding of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Baroness Finlay, chair of the APPGSG’s inquiry into preventing carbon monoxide poisoning, outlined the inquiry process, and emphasised that the report had been produced as a result of evidence from everyone in the room. She welcomed the creation of the All Fuels Forum, a key recommendation arising from the report, and highlighted that there is still work to be done in driving forward the remaining recommendations.

David Kidney, the Chair of the All Fuels Forum, outlined its functions: to share knowledge, coordinate campaigns, collectively inform policymaking, and facilitate greater dialogue between policymakers, industry, the key charities and the media. He emphasised that the Forum is seeking to build on the strong work already underway, in order to carry out the recommendations brought forward by the APG’s report.

Barry Sheerman MP closed the event by thanking the sponsors of the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group: Energy UK, the Energy Networks Association and the Gas Industry Safety Group. He thanked the sponsors of the All Fuels Forum: OFTEC, HETAS, CoGDEM, UKLPG, the Gas Safe Charity, the Gas Safe Trust, and IGEM.

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