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No safety alert over danger tank No safety alert over danger tank
(10 minutes later)
A government body did not issue safety warnings over the faulty water tank system which killed 10-month-old Rhianna Hardie, an inquest has heard.A government body did not issue safety warnings over the faulty water tank system which killed 10-month-old Rhianna Hardie, an inquest has heard.
She died when scalding water gushed over her cot after the tank exploded in the attic of her Taunton council home.She died when scalding water gushed over her cot after the tank exploded in the attic of her Taunton council home.
The inquest heard a woman had died in Penzance in 2002 the same way.The inquest heard a woman had died in Penzance in 2002 the same way.
A Health and Safety Executive official told the hearing the HSE was cautious over safety alerts as it was sometimes accused of scaremongering.A Health and Safety Executive official told the hearing the HSE was cautious over safety alerts as it was sometimes accused of scaremongering.
'Hindsight wonderful''Hindsight wonderful'
HSE inspector Lara Sherwood said that while investigating the tragedy, she had discovered a similar incident, examined by the HSE, in which Sharon Minister died in Penzance.HSE inspector Lara Sherwood said that while investigating the tragedy, she had discovered a similar incident, examined by the HSE, in which Sharon Minister died in Penzance.
Ms Sherwood agreed that the HSE was cautious when issuing safety alerts as the government body was, on occasion, accused of scaremongering.Ms Sherwood agreed that the HSE was cautious when issuing safety alerts as the government body was, on occasion, accused of scaremongering.
Mr Thorogood said: "The Penzance incident found it wasn't common practice for thermostats to be tested during periodic inspection.Mr Thorogood said: "The Penzance incident found it wasn't common practice for thermostats to be tested during periodic inspection.
"HSE is sometimes vulnerable to accusations of scaremongering. That's the sort of thing you have to deal with."HSE is sometimes vulnerable to accusations of scaremongering. That's the sort of thing you have to deal with.
"Safety alerts are a serious measure. They're only usually issued following serious advice. In this case, hindsight is a wonderful thing.""Safety alerts are a serious measure. They're only usually issued following serious advice. In this case, hindsight is a wonderful thing."
The jury also heard evidence from Christopher Rowles, a plumber who worked on a modernisation scheme in Wellington Road, in 1974.The jury also heard evidence from Christopher Rowles, a plumber who worked on a modernisation scheme in Wellington Road, in 1974.
Mr Rowles said: "There's no way the work would have lasted 30 years."Mr Rowles said: "There's no way the work would have lasted 30 years."
The tragedy happened when Rhianna's parents, Matthew Hardie and Charlene Haworth, were spending their first night in the house in Wellington Road, Taunton, with their two children in November 2006.The tragedy happened when Rhianna's parents, Matthew Hardie and Charlene Haworth, were spending their first night in the house in Wellington Road, Taunton, with their two children in November 2006.
Rhianna and her two-year-old sister Emily were put to bed in the room below the attic where the system was kept.Rhianna and her two-year-old sister Emily were put to bed in the room below the attic where the system was kept.
The pair then heard a loud bang from the room when the accident happened and found hot water pouring from the ceiling on to the child's cot below. The parents then heard a loud bang from the room when the accident happened and found hot water pouring from the ceiling on to the child's cot below.
The pair took Rhianna to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton but she died three weeks later at Bristol Children's Hospital. They took Rhianna to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton but she died three weeks later at Bristol Children's Hospital.