Mobile home park fined for hiring illegal plumber
13:52 - 11/03/2010
Mobile home park fined for hiring ill...
An Essex plumber and the mobile home park management company that hired him have both been fined after his illegal and unsafe work placed residents in danger.
Plumber Michael O’Sullivan and firm Sines Parks Ltd were prosecuted at Harlow Magistrate’s Court for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Mr O’Sullivan, who was not registered to work on gas equipment, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £500. Sines Parks Ltd, which owns 13 parks in the area, received a £2,500 fine with a further £2,000 in costs. The company had a duty to check that Mr O’Sullivan was registered before they let him carry out work at their site.
The court heard that O’Sullivan had laid gas pipes beneath a mobile home without ensuring there was proper ventilation. Without ventilation any gas leak could have built up under the property and resulted in a deadly mixture.
The HSE stepped in to investigate after they were contacted back in 2009 by concerned residents at the mobile home site in Waltham Abbey. They had discovered unsafe fittings on cylinders of Liquefied Petroleum Gas used for heating and cooking.
HSE gas specialists agreed that Mr O’Sullivan’s work was unsafe and issued him with an immediate prohibition notice which banned him from carrying out any further gas work until he was properly qualified and registered. Investigators also extended a warning to all site residents about his work.
Inspector Steve Hook commented: “There is a reason the HSE operates the Gas Safe Register - working with gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially dangerous. Getting it wrong can cost lives.
“It is illegal for an unregistered person to carry out such work. When unqualified workers try to bypass the law in this way they are not only putting themselves at risk of prosecution and a large fine, they are also putting people's lives at risk.”
Operations Director, Perry Leeks, says: “It is important that any company strives to create a safe working environment and if a company’s site is used by the general public, or acts as home to a number of people, safety considerations become even more vital.
“Health and safety training is an excellent way to help companies determine their risks and make sure they are meeting legal standards. We offer a diverse range of health and safety training, either through direct provision or via interactive online courses, and they teach delegates about the relevant legislation, safety measures and steps for effective risk assessment.”
We can deliver courses such as Essentials of Health and Safety and Managing and Supervising Risk, at your premises, for groups of up to 12. Our relevant e-learning titles include Health and Safety Introduction, Risk Assessment and Electrical Safety.
To find out more, please call us today.
Plumber Michael O’Sullivan and firm Sines Parks Ltd were prosecuted at Harlow Magistrate’s Court for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Mr O’Sullivan, who was not registered to work on gas equipment, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £500. Sines Parks Ltd, which owns 13 parks in the area, received a £2,500 fine with a further £2,000 in costs. The company had a duty to check that Mr O’Sullivan was registered before they let him carry out work at their site.
The court heard that O’Sullivan had laid gas pipes beneath a mobile home without ensuring there was proper ventilation. Without ventilation any gas leak could have built up under the property and resulted in a deadly mixture.
The HSE stepped in to investigate after they were contacted back in 2009 by concerned residents at the mobile home site in Waltham Abbey. They had discovered unsafe fittings on cylinders of Liquefied Petroleum Gas used for heating and cooking.
HSE gas specialists agreed that Mr O’Sullivan’s work was unsafe and issued him with an immediate prohibition notice which banned him from carrying out any further gas work until he was properly qualified and registered. Investigators also extended a warning to all site residents about his work.
Inspector Steve Hook commented: “There is a reason the HSE operates the Gas Safe Register - working with gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially dangerous. Getting it wrong can cost lives.
“It is illegal for an unregistered person to carry out such work. When unqualified workers try to bypass the law in this way they are not only putting themselves at risk of prosecution and a large fine, they are also putting people's lives at risk.”
Operations Director, Perry Leeks, says: “It is important that any company strives to create a safe working environment and if a company’s site is used by the general public, or acts as home to a number of people, safety considerations become even more vital.
“Health and safety training is an excellent way to help companies determine their risks and make sure they are meeting legal standards. We offer a diverse range of health and safety training, either through direct provision or via interactive online courses, and they teach delegates about the relevant legislation, safety measures and steps for effective risk assessment.”
We can deliver courses such as Essentials of Health and Safety and Managing and Supervising Risk, at your premises, for groups of up to 12. Our relevant e-learning titles include Health and Safety Introduction, Risk Assessment and Electrical Safety.
To find out more, please call us today.
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