A GAS fitter has been fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,600 costs for exposing farm workers to the risk of an explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Roger Manning, from Pontrilas near Hereford, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive after what it called “a string of faults” such as not carrying out safety checks on caravans used to house migrant workers in Shropshire and Herefordshire.
Hereford Magistrates Court heard how between September and November 2008 a HSE investigation unearthed a series of deficiencies in his work at caravans on farms across both counties.
It said these included the faulty capping of gas installation pipework, the incorrect calculation of ventilation requirements and discoloured and unmarked flexible gas hosing.
Mr Manning, 60, of Hereford, pleaded guilty to three breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and one breach of Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
HSE inspector David Kivlin said: “Seasonal workers on farms across Shropshire and Herefordshire were put at serious risk because of Mr Manning’s poor workmanship.
“It’s extremely lucky no one was harmed by his substandard and dangerous work.
“Farmers using caravans to house seasonal workers must ensure that the gas appliances and equipment fitted in the caravans are serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer, this is particularly important as the appliances are often old.
“It is essential that everyone who works with gas appliances or equipment is on the Gas Safe Register. It is a highly specialised area and those working in it must be made aware of the dangers not only to themselves but also their customers.”
Mr Manning was unavailable for comment.
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