The Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) has once again stressed the importance of ensuring that all heating appliances are serviced and maintained by a registered technician, after a court case, which followed a carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning fatality in Suffolk.
Following the tragic death of Annette Coe in December 2012, OFTEC was called to inspect an open-flued boiler installation at the deceased’s home in Ipswich. The boiler had last been serviced just 47 days before Ms. Coe’s death by 68 year old Peter Sykes, an unregistered technician from nearby Hadleigh.
The inspection highlighted serious shortcomings during the annual boiler service. These included a failure to report non-compliant aspects of the installation, a failure to replace a section of cracked oil line which showed a date code of February 2000, and failure to clean the boiler’s heat exchanger, baffles, burner fan housing and impeller. Most serious of all, both flue gas test points on the installation were seized, suggesting that combustion had not been checked.
Upon completion of the inspection, the boiler was isolated as an ‘immediate risk’ and further investigation at other properties visited by Mr Sykes revealed additional instances of substandard and dangerous work. These included a gas appliance serviced by Mr Sykes, even though he was not Gas Safe registered.
Following a trial at Norwich Crown Court in June, at which OFTEC’s technical director Paul Rose gave evidence as an expert witness, Mr Sykes was found guilty of health and safety failings although not guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence. He was sentenced to 300 hours’ community service.
Speaking after the trial, Mr. Rose said, “This tragic case illustrates how vital it is for all work on heating appliances to be carried out by a registered competent person. Had the installation in Mrs Coe’s home been properly maintained, this sad death could have been avoided. Laws are already in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland to ensure CO alarms are fitted in all places where (new and replacement) carbon-burning appliances are installed but the same legislation is yet to be passed in England and Wales. This position needs to change.”
OFTEC is encouraging people to support the ‘Change the Law’ campaign which aims to make CO alarms mandatory in England and Wales, wherever a new or replacement appliance is installed. To date more than 3,500 people have signed a petition which aims to accrue 100,000 names so the issue is put forward to Parliament. A consumer appeal in the national press is also planned, along with further Government lobbying to encourage the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to change Building Regulations. To sign the petition, visit e-petition website
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), around 40 people die each year in England and Wales as a result of accidental CO poisoning in England and Wales. Additionally, a further 4,000 are admitted to hospital with symptoms which can lead to brain damage and strokes.
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