It is vital for organisations to make use of the appropriate gas detection equipment and a recent incident in the north-east of England demonstrated this point. The Westlands Community Centre was the subject of an investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The organisation prosecuted the local authority responsible for running the centre after members of a bridge club that use the facility called the fire service to deal with a suspected gas leak.
Fire fighters found very high levels of carbon monoxide escaping from a flue in the loft.
This gas is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ because it is colourless, tasteless and odourless and yet has the potential to seriously harm and even kill those who inhale it. Gas detection systems are therefore extremely useful when it comes to identifying leaks.
The HSE found that the contract for maintenance and annual safety checks of all gas appliances in the 38 properties owned by the council had lapsed 12 months earlier.
During a hearing, Newcastle Borough Council pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations and was ordered to pay a fine of £20,000, plus costs of £25,550.
Commenting on the subject of such gas leaks, HSE inspector Lynne Boulton said:
“Every year, about 20 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning, invariably due to gas appliances not being properly serviced and checked for safety. Many more become ill with long-term health problems.
“This incident could have had much more serious consequences, particularly as elderly people and children, who are more vulnerable to the effects of this dangerous gas, use the centre regularly. All property owners must make sure their gas appliances are checked each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.”
Thankfully, any firm that is on the lookout for gas detection equipment now have access to a range of superb products. By ensuring their gas systems are up-to-scratch and making use of gas detection systems, they can reduce the risk of accidents occurring.