Hertfordshire company fined for dangerous gas installations

A Hampshire-based utilities company has today been fined for dangerous gas installations at Royal Veterinary College.

St. Alban’s Crown Court heard how Dimension Data Advanced Infrastructure Ltd had been sub-contracted to carry out all the gas, plumbing and above ground drainage work at the College from December 2010 until September 2011. Multiple gas leaks were found across a new student village, putting hundreds of students housed on the campus at risk.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found 50 incorrect fittings had been used with cheaper water fittings being used instead of gas fittings. The installation was classified as ‘Immediately Dangerous’ under the gas safe classification scheme. At the time the work was carried out neither Dimension Data Advanced Infrastructure Ltd not any of its employees were registered on the Gas Safe Register.

 Dimension Data Advanced Infrastructure Ltd of Fleet, Hampshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £466,660 and ordered to pay costs of £11,548.68.

Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Graham Tompkins said “Unregistered gas work puts people and property at real risk. Working with gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially very dangerous, so it is vital that this is only undertaken by trained and competent engineers who are registered with Gas Safe.

“HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against rogue gas fitters who disregard the new law and place lives at risk.  All gas work must be done by registered Gas Safe engineers to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life.”

Further information about gas safety can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk