Gas engineers fined over carbon monoxide poisoning in Cardiff

Date:

4 November 2011

An engineer called in to investigate a gas leak in an office block was nearly killed by carbon monoxide poisoning following faulty work on a boiler.

Cardiff Magistrates' Court today heard John Courtney, 55, from Penarth, was almost overcome by deadly fumes when he was sent to investigate a possible gas leak at Mount Stewart House in Mount Stewart Square, Cardiff on 22 October 2010.

During the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution, the court heard Christopher Bates and Lewis John Rees, partners at BR Greenwell Heating and Plumbing Services of Llantrisant attended Mount Stewart House on 21 October 2010 to repair an open flue gas boiler. The men fitted a new gas control valve and left the premises.

The following day, Mr Courtney, an employee of Wales and West Utilities, attended the site following a report of a gas smell. When he entered the cellar to investigate, he suffered the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning and was taken to hospital.

When the fire service measured CO levels, they found there was more than 16 times the maximum safe CO level over an eight-hour period.

HSE's investigation found the gas valve was incorrectly adjusted so the boiler produced high levels of carbon monoxide.

Both defendants were registered with the Gas Safe Register but did not have an appropriate certificate under the Accredited Certification Scheme to confirm competency for work on the gas boiler, which was a commercial gas-fired hot water boiler.

HSE Inspector, Hugh Emment, said after the hearing:

"Mr Courtney was an experienced engineer and had knowledge of the risks from carbon monoxide and training in gas work, but he was still affected by carbon monoxide.

"If one of the building's office workers had unknowingly entered the cellar with no knowledge of gas issues, they could have been quickly overcome by potentially fatal CO fumes.

"It is vital that gas engineers comply with the standards set down by law to prevent deaths from carbon monoxide. Since 2006 there have been three fatalities in the area because of registered gas installers working outside their confirmed competence."

Paul Johnston, chief executive of Gas Safe Register, added:

"Not every engineer is qualified to work on every type of gas appliance so it is very important for consumers to check. Every Gas Safe registered engineer has an ID card which includes information on the type of work they are qualified to carry out.

"We always encourage consumers to check the card before getting anyone to work on their gas appliances. You can also check an engineer by phoning us on 0800 408 5500 or looking on our website at www.gassaferegister.co.uk"

BR Greenwell Heating and Plumbing Services of Castle Hill, Llantrisant pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 3 (1) and Regulation 26 (9) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. They were fined £5,000 in total and ordered to pay costs of £8,000.

More information for gas engineers can be found on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/installer.htm

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. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Regulation 3(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: No person shall carry out any work in relation to a gas fitting or gas storage vessel unless he is competent to do so.
3. Regulation 26(9) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: Where a person performs work on a gas appliance he shall immediately thereafter examine the effectiveness of any flue; the supply of combustion air; its operating pressure or heat input or, where necessary, both; its operation so as to ensure its safe functioning, and forthwith take all reasonable practicable steps to notify any defect to the responsible person and, where different, the owner of the premises in which the appliance is situated or, where neither is reasonably practicable, in the case of an appliance supplied with liquefied petroleum gas, the supplier of gas to the appliance, or, in any other case, the transporter.

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