A Gloucester firm has been fined £15,000 with costs of £3587 after refurbishment work at a home left an elderly resident at risk from a gas heater.

The woman's home in Coral Close, Holmleigh, was one of 67 properties that had been refurbished as part of a project undertaken by civil engineering firm Mears for a social housing landlord in 2012.

Cheltenham Magistrates' Court heard that two Gas Safe engineers called at the house in August 2013 to carry out a routine annual service of the gas appliances.

The court was told that the engineers found the gas-powered warm air unit at the property had been left in a dangerous condition as a result of the refurbishment work carried out.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that essential combustion ventilation required for the gas power unit has been cladded over, the flue had been removed and the roof fitted over the top, leaving the unit to discharge into the loft.

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The court was told that no blood tests had been taken from the elderly tenant, but it could not be ruled out that she was not exposed to significant carbon monoxide levels as she had suffered from numerous health problems in 2013.

Mears, of Montpellier Court, Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth, Gloucester pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

HSE Inspector Caroline Bird said: "The risks from carbon monoxide poisoning are well known. It is clearly unacceptable to carry out any refurbishment work on a property that directly affects the safety of a gas appliance without first taking the necessary steps to ensure the appliance can be continued to be used safely.

"In this case, they did not just make one error in removing the entirety of the combustion ventilation, they then went on to remove the flue terminal when replacing the roof, leaving the live flue terminal discharging dangerous products of combustion into the loft.

"As principal contractors for this refurbishment project, Mears Ltd should have ensured the implications of any work were properly considered and managed. Mears Ltd's failings put the lives of the tenant and roofers working on the site at risk."

(LM)