Wates Construction fined over carbon monoxide risk

Wates Construction has been fined £7,000 and ordered to pay nearly £2,500 costs after it was found guilty of putting residents 11 bungalows Birmingham at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Health and Safety Executive-led (HSE) prosecution followed roofing work carried out by subcontractors for Wates Construction on several properties in Rednal Road, Birmingham between June 2006 and September 2006.

The integrity of warm air flues, which vent through roof ridge terminals was found to have been disrupted in 11 of the bungalows, which could have casued a potentiall fatal build-up of carbon monoxide.

A CORGI registered subcontractor warned Wates Construction, based in Leatherhead Surrey, to check the flues after work had been completed, but Wates failed to do this, the court heard.

Wates pleaded guilty to contravening Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Birmingham Magistrates Court.