Enforcement action taken against businesses in gas safety campaign (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Enforcement action taken against Middlesbrough businesses in gas safety campaign

12:38pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By Joanna Morris

ENFORCEMENT action has been taken against a number of Middlesbrough businesses following a gas safety campaign.

Middlesbrough Council inspected food premises across the town as part of a crack down on breaches of gas safety laws.

The inspections revealed an overall lack of adequate maintenance of gas appliances, dangerous equipment and dangerous lighting methods, particularly in relation to the use of tandoori ovens.

Prohibition notices – which act to immediately prevent the use of dangerous appliances – were issued to 13 businesses and 23 other businesses received improvement notices requiring them to maintain their gas installations and carry out gas safety checks. Two businesses were also issued with cautions but no prosecutions were made.

Several rogue gas engineers, many working without being properly registered, were identified as a result of the campaign and have been reported to the council’s Health and Safety Executive for breaching gas safety laws.

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “You cannot compromise where gas safety is concerned.

“Unsafe gas equipment presents a major public safety risk, whether it is to employees or the general public.This campaign was a timely opportunity to raise awareness of the risks and remind businesses of their responsibility to ensure their premises remain safe.”

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