THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1982
A SPECIAL
THESE IMPLICATIONS. THE SPOKESMAN SAID, REQUIRED DETAILED CONSIDERATION IN CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH THE INDUSTRY. GROUP HAD BEEN SET UP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE INDUSTRY FOR THIS PURPOSE.
THIS WOULD BE THE START OF AN ON-GOING PROCESS WHICH WOULD CONTINUE OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GROUP WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE TECHNICAL RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE CONSULTANTS' REPORT WITH A VIEW TO AGREEING ON ACTION WHICH CAN BE TAKEN QUICKLY TO IMPROVE SAFETY STANDARDS AND PRACTICES WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
AS A FIRST STEP, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ITSELF TAKE QUICK ACTION WHEREVER POSSIBLE. THIS INCLUDES GIVING URGENT CONSIDERATION TO THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW LEGISLATION REQUIRING ALL NEW BUILDINGS TO BE CONSTRUCTED WITH PROVISION FOR ROOM-SEALED WATER HEATERS AND BULK ENERGY SUPPLY, PENDING WHICH DEVELOPERS AND PROFESSIONALS WILL BE ADVISED TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT, WHILE RECOGNISING THE NEED FOR IMPROVED STANDARDS TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE DEGREE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN RESPECT OF GAS OPERATIONS AND USAGE, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO VIEW THE MATTER IN ITS PROPER PERSPECTIVE. +ACCIDENTS CAN AND DO ARISE FROM A LARGE NUMBER OF CAUSES AND NO AMOUNT OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL CAN ACHIEVE TOTAL SAFETY OR ELIMINATE ACCIDENTS COMPLETELY. MOST ACCIDENTS CAN, HOWEVER, BE AVOIDED IF DUE CARE IS TAKEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN THE SPECIFIC CONTEXT OF GAS WATER HEATERS, THE IMPROPER USE OF WHICH HAS RESULTED IN SEVERAL FATAL ACCIDENTS, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GAS INDUSTRY HAVE MOUNTED A JOINT PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO EMPHASISE TO THE PUBLIC THE NEED TO ENSURE PLENTIFUL VENTILATION WHEN USING GAS WATER HEATERS, BY OPENING WIDE THE LARGEST WINDOW OR THE DOOR IN THE BATHROOM.
IT WAS MOST IMPORTANT THAT THIS ADVICE SHOULD BE HEEDED BY CONSUMERS LEST THEY PUT THEIR OWN LIVES AT RISK, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
A SUMMARY VOLUME OF THE GAS CONSULTANTS' REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE SHORTLY. COPIES OF THREE OTHER VOLUMES OF THE REPORT, CONTAINING MOSTLY TECHNICAL DETAIL, WILL BE PLACED IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND DISTRICT OFFICES FOR PUBLIC REFERENCE. DETAILS OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE SUMMARY VOLUE OF THE CONSULTANTS' REPORT
IN ENGLISH ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE DUTY OFFICER, GIS NEWS ROCM, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, SIXTH FLOOR.
SIXTH FLOOR. THE OTHER THREE VOLUMES OF THE REPORT IN ENGLISH RE AVAILABLE FOR READING IN THE GIS PRESS LIBRARY.