Island Energy did not have suitable and sufficient systems in place to independently check gas work which had been carried out, a UK safety expert has told the Haut du Mont trial.
Martin Wayland said the Island Energy workers carrying out work the day before the blast should have stopped after the St Helier Yacht Club unexpectedly lost its gas and there should not have been a rush to get it reconnected.
The prosecution has alleged that the explosion the following morning was a direct result of work carried out “exceptionally badly” by Neil Armstrong (58), John Wright (60) and Lee Ward (59) at the excavation site.
The three men each deny ten counts of gross-negligence manslaughter over the deaths of ten people in the disaster.
Jersey Gas, which trades as Island Energy, denies two alleged breaches of the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989.
Under cross-examination by Advocate Rui Tremoceiro, defending Mr Armstrong, Mr Wayland said Mr Armstrong “shouldn’t have been left to mark his homework”.
He said: “The underlying policies and procedures the company had should’ve ensured that shouldn’t have happened.”
Opening the case, Crown Advocate Simon Thomas said Mr Armstrong had been allowed to plan the job while also effectively approving and supervising it.
He also alleged that Island Energy did not have adequate systems in place to make sure work was properly planned and independently checked.
Advocate Mark Boothman, defending Mr Wright, later asked Mr Wayland whether Island Energy had suitable and sufficient systems in place. “No,” he replied.
Mr Wayland said the Yacht Club had lost its supply because the pipe had been cut in the wrong place. He said this was partly down to poor planning of the work and partly to the way it was carried out by the three Island Energy employees.
The prosecution had alleged that gas escaped through the open valve and into the building before the explosion the following morning.
Commissioner Andrew Oldland is presiding. The trial continues.
