TG/02/2008 12 February 2008

Mid Wales gas engineer prosecuted for unauthorised gas work

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.  Anyone who is in any doubt can call CORGI on 0800 915 0485.

"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."

Notes to editors

• Regulation 3(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: "No person shall carry out any work in relation to gas fitting or gas storage vessel unless he is competent to do so"
• Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: "..no employer shall allow any of his employees to carry out any work in relation to a gas fitting or service pipework and no self employed person shall carry out any such work, unless the employer or self employed person as the case maybe, is a member of a class of persons approved for the time being by the Health and Safety Executive"
• Regulation 5(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: "No person shall carry out any work in relation to a gas fitting or gas storage vessel otherwise than in accordance with appropriate standards and in such a way as to prevent danger to any person"
• Regulation 27(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: " No person shall install a gas appliance to any flue unless the flue is suitable and in a proper condition for the safe operation of the appliance"
• Further information on domestic gas safety is available on the HSE website: www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/index.htm

Public enquiries:

HSE InfoLine, Tel: 0845 345 0055, visit: hse.gov.uk/contact
or write to: HSE InfoLine, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

Media enquiries only:

0844 800 6823.

Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by Government News Network Wales.