Barry Newman, the sole trader of Foster Brother Builders, was given a 12-month suspended sentence and told to complete 240 hours of unpaid work.
Newman had contracted a Nottingham man to carry out refurbishment works on a property in Bulwell. As part of those works, Newman, 58, had placed a faulty portable space heater, connected to a liquid propane gas (LPG) cylinder, in the property鈥檚 cellar to dry out damp.
However, on 22nd November 2022, a gas leak from the heater resulted in an explosion 鈥� causing the 51-year-old man to suffer severe burn injuries to his hands, legs, face and scalp.
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that Newman failed to carry out a risk assessment and provide suitable and adequately maintained equipment for the work being undertaken.
The manufacturer鈥檚 instructions for the type of heater used clearly state that it is only for use in well-ventilated areas and that LPG cylinders should not be kept below ground. This is because the gas is heavier than air and will collect at the lower level if there is a leak
Barry Newman of The Quay, Beeston Marina, Nottingham pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. At Nottingham Magistrates鈥� Court on 19th June 2025 he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work in the community, and required to pay costs of 拢2,000.
HSE inspector Roy Poulter said after the hearing: 鈥淭his gas explosion has left one man unable to work due to the seriousness of the injuries sustained and it could have easily resulted in someone losing their life. This case should serve as a strong reminder to those in the building trade on the dangers of working with gas and the need to assess the risk, and just how serious both HSE and the courts take failures like this.
鈥淗SE will take action against those who do not do all that they can to keep people safe.鈥�
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