An unregistered gas fitter from Reading has been fined a total of £3,500 after pleading guilty to four health and safety offences at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court today (Monday 8 February 2010).
Ian Duncan Robinson, of Grosvenor Road, Caversham was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after he failed to ensure that gas fitting work was conducted by a registered installer.
Mr Robinson was removed from the official gas register on 18 April 2007 but continued to operate by claiming that he was sub-contracting to registered installers.
Mr Robinson was responsible for the installation of a gas boiler as part of a larger building project at a property on Silverthorne Drive in Caversham between July 2007 and August 2007. However, the gas boiler was left in an unsafe condition, putting the residents of the property at serious risk.
Ian Robinson pleaded guilty to breaching regulations 3(7), 28 and 29 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and sections 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. As well as being fined £3,500, he was also ordered to pay costs of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £15.
HSE Inspector Dozie Azubike, said:
"Ian Robinson falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer and put lives in danger as a result.
"He allowed the boiler to be installed in a small dark space in the roof which meant it was not easy to reach to operate, inspect or maintain. He also failed to leave instructions for the boiler and to register the boiler with the relevant authorities.
"Gas fitters must be members of the Gas Safe Register and have the correct qualifications for the type of work they are doing.
"We will prosecute where work is carried out by anyone who falsely claims to be a registered gas engineer."
The Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI as the official gas safety registration scheme in Great Britain from 1 April 2009. All gas fitters need to be members of the new register.
Homeowners and landlords can check whether a gas engineer is registered by visiting www.gassaferegister.co.uk or calling 0800 408 5500
1. Regulation 3(7) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: "No person shall falsely pretend to be a member of a class of persons required to be approved."
2. Regulation 28 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: "A person shall not install a gas appliance except in such a manner that it is readily accessible for operation, inspection and maintenance."
3. Regulation 29 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: "Any person who installs a gas appliance shall leave for the use of the owner or occupier of the premises in which the appliance is installed all instructions provided by the manufacturer accompanying the appliance."
4. Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: "It shall be the duty of every self-employed person to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that he and other persons (not being his employees) who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety."
5. Gas installers undertaking gas installation and maintenance work must be registered with a body approved by the HSE. CAPITA has been awarded the contract to provide a new gas installer registration scheme in Great Britain from April 2009.
Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office.
Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR South East
Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office who act as HSE's Press Office throughout Great Britain.
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