HOT WATER SCALDING AN EVER PRESENT RISK
Responding to the recent case of a housing association fined £100,000 for failing to ensure that the water outlet temperature was properly controlled at its properties – resulting in the death of one of its residents – the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association issues some timely advice to landlords, carers and those who take responsibility for old people.
26 October 2011 – The case of Midland Heart, a housing association recently fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £35,000 costs after a man died from burns received from a scalding hot bath, shows that the courts are taking a strong line in such cases. The housing association pleaded guilty at a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act. Birmingham Council started proceedings against the association in relation to two separate bath scalding incidents that occurred in hostels it runs. Birmingham Council argued that Midland Heart had failed to ensure that the water outlet temperature was properly controlled to avoid scalding.
Every year around 20 people die as a result of scalds caused by hot bath water and approximately 600 people suffer serious scald injuries. High water temperatures create a greater risk to vulnerable people which includes children, the elderly, those with reduced mental capacity, reduced mobility and anyone with sensory impairment or who cannot react quickly enough to prevent injury. The young and old are most at risk from hot water scalding because their skin is thinner and less tolerant to high water temperatures.
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), comments, “One of the reasons cited for high hot water temperature is the need to control legionella bacteria and we are aware that some building operators, particularly in the care sector, have argued that water temperatures have been increased purely to combat the risk of legionella.
“However, an increase in the risk of scalding cannot be justified as a consequence of introducing precautions against legionella. Water should be delivered to a bath or shower outlet at no more than 46oC and prevented from being discharged at greater than 46oC from taps which may be accessible to children, older and more vulnerable people”.
The Government is so worried about the risk of scalding to the old, young or infirm that they have recently implemented new requirements in Part G of the Building Regulations so that in all new properties only thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) hot water taps are fitted. These work by mixing in some cold water to ensure the temperature is safe. These can be fitted to showers and in bathrooms.
Judd continues, “We, along with other industry bodies, support the installation of mixing controls (TMVs) and the on-going maintenance and updating of existing hot water systems to ensure they are fitted with TMVs.
“The young and elderly are especially at risk, and our advice to housing associations, care homes, landlords and those who take responsibility for old people is to ask a reputable heating engineer to install the controls in bathrooms. The heating engineer will also be able to advise if there are other hot water outlets in the home that should also have controls fitted”.
To help organisations find their nearest HVCA member the Association has an easy to use ‘Locate an HVCA Contractor’ search facility on its website at: http://www.hvca.org.uk.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the HVCA by Next Step Marketing Ltd
Media enquiries to: Heather Lambert
Tel: 44(0)1256 472020
Fax: 44(0)1256 471010
E-mail: heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Established in 1904, the HVCA represents the interests of firms active in the design, installation and maintenance of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Its membership comprises over 1,500 companies throughout the UK, a combined turnover exceeding £4bn and a workforce of 50,000. HVCA members are subject to regular third party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability.
HVCA operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.
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