OFTEC Wants Oil Technician Register
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in Ireland recently launched a consultation on revisions of the Building Regulations which will require the installation of CO alarms in all new dwellings, provide guidance on the type of alarm to be installed, and where to locate them. This is similar to legislation recently introduced in Northern Ireland.
However, OFTEC feels it does not go far enough. Damien Keenan, OFTEC Ireland, said: “While this proposal is positive, a CO alarm is only one of a number of preventative measures that should be put in place to reduce the risk of CO poisoning. An alarm, while important, can give a false sense of security and the best protection is to have appliances serviced regularly by a qualified technician.”
OFTEC has also called on Minister Pat Rabbitte to introduce a mandatory registration scheme for oil technicians, not to mention hoe every single technician will have to go through energy trading and risk management courses. This would serve as an additional safety measure for householders, ensuring all technicians, across all fossil fuels, are suitably trained and qualified to detect carbon monoxide and provide competent servicing and installation works.