Gas detection failings see Oxford landlords fined

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Fixed Gas System

Gas detection failings and other mismanagement issues have seen a number of Oxford landlords fined.

A number of Oxford landlords have been fined for health and safety mismanagement, which included gas detection failings, missing fire detectors, poorly maintained electrics and other issues.

The Oxford Mail reported that Oxford city council fined three landlords more than £23,000 in total for the problems at properties in East Oxford and Cowley earlier this year.

Imran Hussain Ali, Rizwan Rultan and Barbur Ali pleaded guilty to a total of 34 offences and were fined £9,266, £8,908 and £5,250 respectively.

Mr Hussain Ali had at least ten people living in a cockroach-infested house on Cowley Road where there was no working fire alarm, a fridge freezer blocking the front door, bathrooms in a state of poor repair and a kitchen with only one grease-caked ring working on the cooker.

Meanwhile, Mr Sultan's property on Wilkins Road was occupied by six people and had no gas or electrical safety certificates.

The house was also in a state of disrepair with unsafe electrics and a fridge blocking the front door.

Mr Ali's Warwick Street property housed nine adults and a child, yet had inadequate fire precautions, a broken smoke detector and piles of rubbish lying around.

Landlords and business owners have a responsibility to provide a safe living and working environment to their tenants and staff.

This includes the use of gas detection equipment where relevant. Landlords are likely to require carbon monoxide monitors where gas-powered heating or cooking equipment is present, while employers could need gas detection equipment to extend to a wider range of fumes and toxins depending on their business.

Frontline Safety have a range of fixed gas detection systems which can be seen on the website.  Services such as the installation, commissioning and maintenance of fixed gas detection systems is also available from Frontline Safety.  Visit the service page for more information.

The Health and Safety Executive recently fined a Derbyshire aluminium profile maker for making its employees work in a concealed space with uncalibrated gas detection equipment, showing the need for businesses to provide the correct products for staff and contractors.

Written by Chris Malone