Plumber Fined for Unsafe Boiler Installation | Health & Safety

Plumber fined for unsafe boiler installation

Key Facts:

• An investigation was launched following the unsafe installation of an oil-fired boiler.
• No problems were noticed until 6 months later, when the householder came home to discover a house full of smoke and fumes.
• The plumber was fined £250 for breaching legislation with an unsafe boiler installation.

The Case:

An investigation was launched into the practices of a Malswick based plumber after an incident involving the unsafe installation of an oil fired boiler.

The court heard that the boiler had been installed in a compartment that was inadequately ventilated, and an unsuitable material, flue liner, was linking the boiler to the chimney.

No problems were noted with the boiler for around six months, until the householder came home and discovered the house full of smoke and fumes. The flexible flue liner had dipped and formed a moisture trap. This then filled with water which fully or partially blocked the flue. These led to incomplete combustion and the spillage of products of combustion which included carbon monoxide.

The conditions had the potential to cause death from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The case was heard at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on 13 April 2015, where the self-employed plumber pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974. He was fined £250.

What the law states:

Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974 states:

It shall be the duty of every self-employed person to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that he and other persons (not being his employees) who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.

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