Council fined after carbon monoxide leak

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has been fined for putting people's health in danger after carbon monoxide leaked from flue accessories at a community centre.

The authority was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after members of a bridge club using the Westlands Community Centre contacted the fire service to deal with a suspected gas leak.

HSE inspector Lynne Boulton said: "This incident could have had much more serious consequences, particularly as elderly people and children, who are more vulnerable to the effects of this dangerous gas, use the centre regularly."

Ms Boulton commented that around 20 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year due to gas appliances not being adequately serviced and checked for safety.

He went on to emphasise that people must ensure that their gas appliances are checked on an annual basis by a Gas Safe register engineer, as taking such a precaution will help to reduce the chance of ill-health.