Industry news


Sparks call for tougher controls on electrical safety in PRS homes


inspection and testing performed by private landlords prior to their registration. SELECT, whose member companies account for


A


over 90 per cent of all electrical installation work carried out in Scotland, was responding to a Scottish Government consultation paper on Landlord Registration. Darrell Matthews Managing Director of SELECT,


campaigning body for the electrotechnical trade in Scotland, has called for more stringent controls over the electrical


said: “Private landlord registration has been mandatory since 2004 and a robust process is critical to keep the people of Scotland safe in privately rented accommodation. Our members operate to the highest standards and firmly believe the government should hold private landlords to the same standards.” One of the key areas in the consultation relates to


a proposal to expand the “prescribed information” which landlords have to provide when letting a property. This will require landlords to provide


information that “a property meets the specific requirements relating to gas, electrical and carbon monoxide safety.” SELECT has said that landlords should be


required to submit written evidence that they have had electrical inspection and testing undertaken and that fire, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted and operational. Mr Matthews said: “The current Prescribed


Information makes no requirement on the landlord to declare the safety of the property being rented, so any change to this is a welcome improvement. We believe this is an excellent opportunity for the Government to put the safety of renters foremost, and ensure that properties being rented by private landlords have electrical installations of the highest standard.” SELECT is Scotland’s largest trade association,


with over 1,250 member companies, employing 15,000 people and a combined turnover of around £1 billion.


BUPA fined £3m after death of elderly resident


A national care provider has been hit with a huge £3m fine following the death of a resident at an Essex nursing home after he contracted Legionnaires’ disease. Kenneth Ibbetson, 86, died three months after


moving into Hutton Village Nursing Home, which is operated by BUPA Care Homes (BNH) Ltd. Ipswich Crown Court heard that Mr Ibbetson had moved into the care home in March 2015 when he


was no longer able to cope at home. In June 2015 Mr Ibbetson contracted Legionnaires’ disease, a serious waterborne form of pneumonia, and later died in Basildon Hospital on 23 June 2015. An investigation by the Health and Safety


Executive found that for more than a year, during which time major refurbishment works were carried out, BUPA Care Homes (BNH) Ltd failed to implement the necessary control and monitoring measures required to safely manage their hot and cold water system. It also found those responsible for overseeing legionella controls and for taking crucial water temperature measurements had not been trained to the required standard. BUPA Care Homes (BNH) Ltd of Bridge House,


Outwood Lane, Leeds, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act


16 | HMM July 2018 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


1974. The company was fined £3m and ordered to pay costs of £151,482. After the hearing, HSE principal inspector Vicky


Fletcher said: “It is heart-breaking to think Kenneth contracted Legionnaires’ a matter of weeks after moving into the Hutton Village Care Home. His family have been left devastated by his sudden death. “Mr Ibbetson and other residents were exposed


to the risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease because adequate controls were not in place. The risk is more acute in care home settings because residents are more susceptible due to their underlying health conditions. We would expect those who have a duty of care to understand this and have the necessary controls in place to manage the risk.”


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