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Housing association prosecuted after putting tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning (4 January 2017)

Date: 04/01/2017
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Housing association prosecuted after putting tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning

A housing association in Scotland has been prosecuted for putting residents at risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) took action against Dumfries & Galloway Housing Partnership Limited – Scotland’s second largest registered social landlord – after renovations which involved removing chimneys from two separate properties.

Annual gas checks revealed that the chimneys acted as the necessary gas flue for adjacent properties.

HSE’s investigation into both incidents revealed that, at the time the chimney removals took place, there was no procedure in place for the company’s workers to follow in respect of this type of work – and risk assessments were not carried out in relation to the chimney removals, which would have identified the risk to carbon monoxide poisoning for the residents.

At Dumfries Sheriff Court, Dumfries & Galloway Housing Partnership Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act (1974).

The housing association was fined £8,000.

HSE says that around seven people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed or maintained, or are poorly ventilated.

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