June 16, 2010
Use of Unsafe Gas Heater Results in Workshop Receiving Conditional Discharge
HSE has filed a case against Garage Bow Street Ltd., a motor mechanics workshop for failing to comply with a Prohibition Notice. The company in question had been running a gas heater which released carbon monoxide fumes. Stafford Magistrates Court has given the company a six-month conditional discharge for non-compliance with Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company also had to pay costs amounting to £500.
The Powrmatic gas heater that the Staffordshire workshop used was found to emit poisonous fumes through its exhaust flue and was deemed potentially unsafe to the company’s customers and neighbors.
On 3 December 2009, an inspection of the workshop premises was made by an HSE inspector. When he saw the lack of maintenance for the electrical wiring system and the exhaust flue within the building, he gave the company a Prohibition Notice instructing it to keep from using the heater.
Nearly a month after the first inspection, he returned to check on the workshop and found the heater running. Ian Moore, a director with the company, noticed the inspector and turned off the heater. He said that they had been running the gas heater for only 45 minutes, to dry the floor quickly after it had been swabbed to get rid of some oil.
HSE Inspector, Andrew Bowker expressed concern over the company’s blatant disregard for the safety of others. Around 20 people died every year from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of a poorly installed or maintained gas appliances and flues. He emphasized the need to hire a competent gas engineer to install, service and maintain gas appliances, in line with manufacturers’ instructions. Failing to do so could lead to devastating consequences.
The NEBOSH Fire Certificate has been designed for managers, supervisors, and employee representatives who need to ensure that their organisation meets its responsibilities under fire safety legislation. It is of benefit to organisations in enabling them to contribute to the conduct and review of fire risk assessments and fire preventive and protective measures within the workplace.
Filed by admin at 4:36 am under Legal Counsel Resources, Markets, The Healthy Way
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