HSE has prosecuted a loft-conversion company and its sub-contractor for carrying out dangerous gas works.

A loft-conversion company and its sub-contractor have been fined for carrying out dangerous gas works, leaving a family at serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) successfully prosecuted JS Loft Conversions of Lydney, Gloucestershire, and sub-contractor Paul Anthony Joynes from Cheltenham at Stroud Magistrates' Court.

The defendants were hired by a family in Stroud to install a loft conversion in March, 2009. A chimney serving a gas fire was removed, because it had obstructed the new living area, and replaced with a flexible gas-flue pipe. 

Concerned about the safety of the new pipe, the family asked a registered gas engineer to check the work. The engineer found the installation was "immediately dangerous" and reported it to HSE. 

JS Loft Conversions and Joynes pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8 (1) of the Gas Safety Regulations 1998. In addition, JS pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8 (3) of the same regulation and was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of over £1,000. 

Joynes also pleaded guilty to breaching 8 (2) of the regulation and was fined £750 and ordered to pay costs of £250. 

HSE inspector, Dominic Goacher, commented: "HSE strongly advises everyone to get their gas appliances checked regularly by a Gas Safe-registered engineer. Householders also need to check the fitter's credentials – don't just take their word that they are Gas Safe-registered."