Workshop guilty of continuing to use dangerous gas heater

Date:

20 May 2010

Release No:

WM119/10

A Staffordshire motor mechanics has been given a conditional discharge today (20/05) after ignoring a Prohibition Notice, ordering it to stop using a dangerous gas heater.

The Garage Bow Street Ltd had been warned that its Powrmatic gas heater posed serious safety issues for customers and residents living in the connected buildings, as carbon monoxide fumes could be released into the workshop through the heater's exhaust flue.

Stafford Magistrates Court heard how on 3 December 2009, an Inspector from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued the company with a Prohibition Notice requiring it to stop using the heater. The notice specified that the exhaust flue was directed inside the building, the electrical wiring system was unsuitable and the system required servicing by a competent gas engineer.

When the inspector returned to the site a month later, he noticed the workshop was noticeably warmer than outside. As soon as one of the directors of the company, Ian Moore, recognised the inspector, he switched the heater off. Mr Moore claimed it had only been on for no more than 45 minutes in order to help dry the workshop floor that had just been mopped after an oil spillage.

The Garage Bow Street Ltd, of Bow Street, Rugeley, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Because it has now ceased trading, it was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £500 towards costs.

HSE inspector Andrew Bowker said:

"This company showed a blatant disregard for the safety of others. Around 20 people die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of a poorly installed or maintained gas appliances and flues.

"It is crucial that gas appliances are installed, serviced and maintained by a competent gas engineer and in line with manufacturers' instructions. Failing to do so can lead to devastating consequences."

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce 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.
2. Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 states: "It is an offence for a person... to contravene any requirement or prohibition imposed by an improvement notice or a prohibition notice (including any such notice as modified on appeal)."
3. For further information on gas safety, please visit our website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/
4. Visit http://www.hse.gov.uk for more information and other HSE press notices.

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR (West Midlands)