Hundreds of students were at risk from dangerous gas work

A Hampshire company has today been fined almost half a million pounds for dangerous gas work at the Royal Veterinary College in London that put hundreds of resident students at risk.

St Albans Crown Court heard that Dimension Data Advanced Infrastructure Ltd had been sub-contracted to carry out all the gas, plumbing and above-ground drainage work at the College from December 2010 until September 2011.

Multiple gas escapes were found across a new student village, putting hundreds of students housed on the campus at risk.

An HSE investigation found that 50 incorrect fittings where water fittings had been used instead of gas fittings. The installation was classified as Immediately Dangerous. At the time the work was carried out, neither Dimension Data Advanced Infrastructure Ltd not any of its employees were Gas Safe registered.

Dimension Data Advanced Infrastructure Ltd, of Fleet, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etcAct 1974. It was fined £466,660 and ordered to pay costs of £11,548.68.