Personal Injury Solicitors

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a gas servicing firm for negligence and safety failings, after a boiler exploded in the basement of a primary school in Halifax, West Yorkshire.

The explosion occurred in September 2011 – the day before schoolchildren returned to Greetland Academy after the summer holidays.

The blast blew out the boiler house door toward a paved area and the school playing field.

The explosion was heard by two local neighbours in School Street, who raced to the school where the teaching staff were having a training day.
No injuries from the blast were reported.

HSE inspectors were informed of the incident, however, and an investigation was launched.

HSE discovered that Marshall Gas Services Ltd – based in Greetland – had been on site the same day to service three boilers and other gas appliances.

The company had held a contract to carry out annual inspections and services at the school for at least ten years.

However, during the investigation, HSE discovered that, despite the servicing contract, the boiler showed signs of poor maintenance, including excessive rust and debris – and had become increasingly dangerous.

HSE gas specialists found that the burners produced a significant amount of internal corrosion and the gas injectors were very dirty, which significantly reduced the aperture size.

The restricted gas injectors in turn prevented sufficient gas reaching some of the burners to allow them to be cross-lit when turned on.

Unburned gas then passed into a combustion chamber and created an explosive atmosphere.

HSE’s investigation showed the build-up of debris and the partial blockage of the injectors would have occurred gradually over a period of time – and that the levels in the boiler were not consistent with a regular annual service regime.

On Monday 8 June 2015 at Halifax Magistrates’ Court, Marshall Gas Services Ltd of West Vale Chambers, Stainland Road in Greetland, Halifax was fined £13,000 and ordered to pay £35,699 in costs, after admitting one breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Jackie Ferguson said:
“This was an entirely preventable incident.

“It was pure luck no children were around at the time, as the boiler house was close to the school playing field and access routes for staff and pupils alike.

“Marshall Gas Services displayed a reckless disregard for the safety of the community – and these young children in particular – and the outcome could have been far worse.

“On the wider issue, all companies who carry out gas work must comply with their legal duties and responsibilities.

“Experience has shown that some operating in the gas sector are prepared to breach regulations by undertaking gas work while not on the statutory register and without the necessary competency.

“There are also instances of registered engineers operating outside the scope of their competency.

“HSE will continue to undertake effective regulation and enforcement of this industry where we find negligence and safety failings.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Claims for Accidents at School

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise teachers, pupils, contractors, catering staff and grounds staff at schools on how to make a no win no fee compensation claim for injuries sustained as a result of negligence, including RSI injuries.

Accidents at school claims usually have to be made within three years of diagnosis of injury – and children can claim compensation for injuries sustained on school premises or school trips up to the age of 21.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Accident at School Claims, contact Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors on 020 7923 4020.