TG/02/2008 12 February 2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning anyone having gas appliances fitted or serviced to ensure the engineer they are using is competent and registered, after a mid Wales man was prosecuted for carrying out gas work without being CORGI registered.
David Mees, of Ael-y-Bryn, Llandinam, Powys, pleaded guilty to contravening Regulations 3(1), 3(3), 5(3), 27(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 relating to carrying out work on gas appliances at three addresses in Powys while not registered.
Mees was also prosecuted by Powys Trading Standards department for advertising his services as a CORGI registered gas engineer.
Mees was sentenced with a community order of 280 hours unpaid work and a supervision order. He has also been ordered to pay costs to HSE of £6000 as well as £750 costs to the local authority.
HSE inspector Barbara Francis said: "This case is doubly disturbing because this individual was purporting to be registered when he clearly was not.
"All CORGI registered fitters carry a card which gives their registration number and details of the appliances on which they have had their competence assessed.
"While gas appliances which are correctly fitted and maintained are extremely safe, incorrectly fitted or poorly maintained appliances can give rise to carbon monoxide which is odourless, colourless and can result in illness or death.
"This case also provides a salutary warning for anyone doing gas work without the correct training or registration - HSE will take the strongest action possible against anyone who does not comply with the law. Their behaviour is putting lives at risk."
Regional reporters should call the appropriate regional COI press office.
Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by Government News Network Wales.
Regional reporters should call the appropriate regional COI press office who act as HSE's Press Office throughout Great Britain.
