Seaton gas fitter fined for work on gas boiler and fire

Date:

5 August 2011

A gas fitter left a boiler he had serviced in a potentially unsafe condition, Exeter magistrates heard today (5 August).

The court was also told Mike Burridge Gas Services Ltd had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing in Nov 2010 in relation to a similar offence involving a gas fire.

All three offences followed an annual service of gas appliances at a domestic property in Axminster.

The company was fined a total of £15,000 and ordered to pay £15,000 prosecution costs.

The three breaches related to work on a fitting without immediately examining the supply of combustion air afterwards, failing to examine the effectiveness of the flue after servicing the boiler and failing to check the safe operation of the boiler after performing work on it.

HSE Inspector, Simon Jones, said:

"This prosecution should send an important message to gas fitters that they must undertake work safely to ensure the safety of members of the public. It is important that registered gas fitters undertake work to the highest safety standard."

Mike Burridge Gas Services Ltd, of Beer Road, Seaton pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 26 (9) (b) of the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 and was fined £5,000.

The company was found guilty of breaching Regulation 26 (9) (a) and 26 (9) (d) of the same regulations and was fined a further £5,000 on each charge.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 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. Regulation 26(9)(b) of the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 states: "Where a person performs work on a gas appliance he shall immediately thereafter examine the supply of combustible air and forthwith take reasonable practicable stops to notify any defect to the responsible person (in this case the homeowner).
3. Regulation 26(9) (a) of the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 states: "Where a person performs work on a gas appliance he shall immediately thereafter examine the effectiveness of any flue and forthwith take reasonable practicable steps to notify any defect to the responsible person (in this case the homeowner).
4. Regulation 26(9) (d) of the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 states: 'Where a person performs work on a gas appliance he shall immediately thereafter examine its operation so as to ensure its safe functioning and forthwith take reasonable practicable steps to notify any defect to the responsible person (in this case the homeowner)
5. The court also ordered the defendant to pay a separate £15 victim surcharge, the proceeds of which will be spent on services for victims and witnesses.

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