‘Danger’ boiler was fitted at pub
APUB manager put the lives of his customers and staff at risk by allowing potentially dangerous gas work to be carried out on his premises.
Michael Wilson, manager at The Duke of Edinburgh, in Market Street, Royton, allowed a boiler to be fitted by a customer who gave his name as ‘Jan’ and who claimed he was a plumber.
But a qualified Gas Safe engineer who carried out a routine inspection at the pub said he had never seen anything so dangerous in his career.
He found that the gas boiler was dangerous due to an inadequate flue being in place.
The boiler was immediately isolated to make it safe and a report submitted by the contractor under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations to Oldham council.
An investigation was launched and council officers found that the work had been authorised by the licence holder, Michael Wilson.
Wilson, of Moelydd, Trefonen, Oswestry, held no paperwork or any kind of documentation relating to the gas work undertaken at the pub.
At Tameside Magistrates’ Court Wilson pleaded guilty to contravening gas safety regulations.
He was sentenced to a 12 month community order to carry out 100 hours unpaid work. He was also told to pay £1,477 council costs with an £85 victim surcharge.
Councillor Arooj Shah, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “In failing to make straightforward, simple checks, Wilson put the health and safety of his workers and customers at major risk.
“He was hugely fortunate that no one was harmed as a result of his lack of action. It is vital that business owners make reasonable efforts to obtain evidence that any person they ask, or pay, to carry out gas work is a registered Gas Safe engineer.”
A spokesperson for Craft Union Pub Company, which owns the pub, said: “This case relates to an incident that took place when the Duke of Edinburgh was under the previous management. Since taking over the pub at the start of the year, we have ensured that all gas and electrical equipment on site is safe to use and has the appropriate, relevant certification. We’d like to reassure customers that a safe and welcoming environment is our utmost priority.”
To check the Gas Safe Registration number of an engineer visit https:// www.gassaferegister.co. uk/