National Grid Gas safety fines hit ￡7 million in five years

摘要

National Grid Gas (NGG) has been fined ￡4 million after it failed to ensure that its records of gas risers in some high-rise multi occupancy buildings (HRMOBs) were up to date. Julie Voce, the HSE investigating team's principal inspector, said the case had "wide ranging implications", with the investigation finding that "people living and working in the high-rise buildings where the failings took place were not protected from the risk of gas leaks". The level of fine, added Voce, showed "how important it is when companies are charged with ensuring records that could keep people safe and well are up to date, that they make that task a priority." NGG was sentenced on 9 February at Liverpool Crown Court, where it was also ordered to pay ￡91,805 costs. The sentencing remarks of Judge Garrett Byrne are reviewed on pp.16-20. NGG had pleaded guilty on 6 November 2020 to a breach of s.3(1) of the HSW Act in that the conduct of its undertaking exposed people other than its employees to risks to their health and safety. The fine equates to 1.1% of NGG's most recent pre-tax profit of ￡356 million, which it made on revenue of ￡1,186 million in the year to 31 March 2020.