Construction firm fined after gas explosion destroys homes
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A construction firm has been fined after failings led to a gas explosion that destroyed a number of homes and caused chaos in South Manchester.
A gas explosion which destroyed several homes and caused chaos in South Manchester has seen a construction firm fined.
PJ Livesey Group was told to pay £100,000 after it was revealed that one of its workers cut through a six-inch gas pipe in an underground tunnel at the Didsbury Gate development.
The accident, which occurred on December 9th 2009, saw the 41-year-old man from Cheshire suffer burns when the gas from the pipe ignited.
However, it was approximately an hour later when the fumes, which had continued to leak from the pipe, ignited for a second time and destroyed dozens of homes.
Residents had to be evacuated from the surrounding area, with three schools a hospital, a police station and numerous businesses also having to be temporarily cleared.
Manchester Crown Court heard how the company had been given schematics of the site that showed a main gas line running through it, but failed to arrange for a detailed survey to find out precisely where the pipe was.
Workers were also wrongly told that the pipes had been decommissioned.
As a result of the failings, PJ Livesey Group will have to pay £100,000 in fines and additional prosecution costs of £21,404.
"This was a major incident that led to a massive emergency response and significant disruption to the neighbourhood. It was only luck that more people weren't seriously injured or even killed in the explosion," explained Health and Safety Executive investigating inspector Thomas Merry.
"It was unacceptable for PJ Livesey Group to allow the work to go ahead without checking that the gas supply had been properly disconnected."
Firms operating in the vicinity of gas pipes might be wise to use gas detection equipment to ensure that workers and those living nearby are not put at risk of explosions or poisoning from fumes. Frontline Safety offer a full range of gas detection equipment including the BW MicroClip XL Multi Gas Detector with LEL, O2, CO and H2S sensors. To view our range of gas detection monitors please click here or visit our website at www.frontline-safety.co.uk
Meanwhile, Stoke City footballer Jamie Ness and his model girlfriend Heather Weir may have had a lucky escape from carbon monoxide poisoning after their dog's sleepy behaviour alerted them to a gas leak at their home.
Written by Shona Innes
