New gas flue installation puts family at risk

Date:

26 May 2010

Release No:

791/SWW/10

A Gloucestershire loft conversion company and its subcontractor have today been fined for carrying out dangerous gas works which left a family at serious risk.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) successfully prosecuted J S Loft Conversions Limited, of Bracken Close, Lydney, and its subcontractor Paul Anthony Joynes, of Hazlewood Close, Warden Hill, Cheltenham, at Stroud Magistrates Court.

The Court heard how the company and Mr Joynes were hired by a family in Marling Crescent, Stroud, in March 2009 to install a loft conversion. As part of this project, a chimney serving a gas fire was removed because it obstructed the new living area. The chimney was replaced with a flexible gas flue pipe.

Following installation of this gas flue, the family asked a registered gas engineer to check the work prior to use because they had concerns about the safety of the new flue pipe. Upon inspection in December that year, the gas engineer found the installation was 'immediately dangerous' and reported it to HSE.

JS Loft Conversions Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8(1) and 8 (3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. It was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,103.10.

Paul Joynes pleaded guilty to breaching 8 (1) and 8 (2) of the same Regulations. He was fined £750 and ordered to pay costs of £250.

Following the hearing, HSE inspector, Dominic Goacher, said:

"This family was at serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, because the alterations made to their home were simply not safe. They expected a professional job to be carried out and instead were left with a new gas flue pipe which might have proved fatal. This is totally unacceptable.

"Gas appliances which are badly fitted and poorly serviced pose a serious danger. HSE strongly advises everyone to get their gas appliances checked regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Householders also need to check the fitter's credentials - don't just take their word that they are Gas Safe registered."

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Regulation 8 (1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states that: "No person shall make any alteration to any premises in which a gas fitting or gas storage vessel is fitted if that alteration would adversely affect the safety of the fitting or vessel in such a manner that, if the fitting or vessel had been installed after the alteration, there would have been a contravention of, or failure to comply with, these Regulations.
3. Regulations 8 (2) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states that: "No person shall do anything which would affect a gas fitting or any flue or means of ventilation used in connection with the fitting in such a manner that the subsequent use of the fitting might constitute a danger to any person, except that this paragraph does not apply to an alteration to premises."
4. Regulations 8 (3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states that: "In relation to any place of work under his control, an employer or a self-employed person shall ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) above are complied with.
5. The court also ordered each defendant to pay a separate £15 victim surcharge, the proceeds of which will be spent on services for victims and witnesses.
6. Workers undertaking gas installation and maintenance work must be registered with Gas Safe Register. HSE awarded CAPITA the contract to provide the gas installer registration scheme in Great Britain from April 2009. This scheme replaced the one previously operated by CORGI. Further information about the gas registration scheme is available at: http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/about.aspx

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR South West