Gas pipe-cutting work caused fire

A south-west London construction company has been ordered to pay a £38,469 penalty after it sanctioned a subcontractor to cut through a live gas main, causing a fire at a shopping centre in Slough.

Keltbray was contracted to carry out refurbishment work on a retail unit at the Queensmere Shopping Centre. It did not isolate the gas supply to the unit, but informed the subcontractor it was safe to go ahead with pipe-cutting work.

The subcontractor cut a live pipe and the gas ignited, causing a fire.

"Companies need clear, manageable and reliable systems to ensure that people are not put at risk in these situations," said HSE inspector Karen Morris.

"In this case, the subcontractor was given a document confirming that it was safe to carry out the pipe-cutting work, but reasonable checks had not been made and the pipe was in fact live.

"Fortunately no one was injured, although the incident caused a significant risk to the safety of workers and members of the public."

At Bracknell Magistrates' Court, Keltbray was ordered to pay an £18,000 fine with £20,469 costs after it was found guilty of failing to protect subcontractors and members of the public, contrary to Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Article created by Editor. (info@safetynetscotland.co.uk)