Director fined after extension creates explosion risk
Summary
A Yorkshire construction company and its director were fined after extension works in Bradford were carried out over existing gas pipework and without properly relocating the boiler flue, creating a serious risk of gas leak, fire, explosion and carbon monoxide exposure. The HSE said the work also left the household without gas for weeks and highlighted failures to prepare construction phase plans and to comply with an improvement notice.
Why it matters
The case is a clear reminder that domestic building work can create significant health and safety risks where gas installations, flues and temporary arrangements are not properly planned and coordinated. Surveyors involved in inspections, defect reporting or project oversight should be alert to unsafe alterations affecting gas services and compliance with construction-phase duties.
Key points
- Extension built over existing gas pipes and flue not properly relocated
- HSE said the gas installation was immediately dangerous
- Household gas supply was cut off for several weeks
- Company failed to produce construction phase plans and ignored an improvement notice
- Court imposed fines on both the company and its sole director
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