Illegal gas fitter fined for putting residents at risk

Date:

26 February 2010

Release No:

715/SWW/10

A self-employed Gloucestershire man has today been fined for carrying out illegal gas works, leaving residents at serious risk.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) successfully prosecuted Stanley John Burrage, trading as JB Complete Home Services, of Old Bristol Road, Nailsworth, Stroud.

Gloucester Magistrates Court heard Mr Burrage supplied and fitted a kitchen including a gas hob, electric oven and extractor fan at a council-owned property in Woodpecker Walk, Nailsworth, Stroud, in July 2008, without being CORGI registered (now replaced by the Gas Safe Register).

As part of the work, Mr Burrage fitted a cupboard around the existing gas central heating and hot water boiler and in doing so, he removed and discarded the sealed boiler casing. A routine council inspection in November 2008 revealed a catalogue of errors, which was presenting an immediate and serious danger to residents.

Mr Burrage pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3 and Regulation 8(2) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was fined £1,200 and ordered to pay costs of £1,200.

Following the hearing, HSE inspector, Andy Shaw, said:

"The residents living at this council property were at serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, because the gas-fitter they thought was properly registered, was operating illegally.

"Gas appliances which are not properly installed and adequately maintained by a competent registered installer pose a serious danger - you could literally be putting your life at risk.

"We strongly advise that everyone gets their gas appliances checked regularly by a registered gas fitter. Double check the fitter's credentials - don't just take their word that they are registered."

Notes to editors

1. Regulation 3 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states that: "No person shall carry out any work in relation to a gas fitting or gas storage vessel unless he is competent to do so."
2. Regulations 8 (2) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states that: "No person shall do anything which would affect a gas fitting or any flue or means of ventilation used in connection with the fitting in such a manner that the subsequent use of the fitting might constitute a danger to any person, except that this paragraph does not apply to an alteration to premises."
3. Workers undertaking gas installation and maintenance work must be registered with Gas Safe Register. HSE awarded CAPITA the contract to provide the gas installer registration scheme in Great Britain from April 2009. This scheme replaced the one previously operated by CORGI. Further information about the gas registration scheme is available at: http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/about.aspx
4. The court also ordered Stanley Burrage to pay a separate £15 victim surcharge.

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR South West