Unregistered fitter prosecuted over defective gas fire

Date:

5 August 2010

Release No:

827/SWW/10

A man who potentially put lives at risk by fitting a replacement gas fire in a domestic property despite not being a member of CORGI faced the courts today.

Michael Huggins, of Warmley, Bristol pleaded guilty to two breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (1998) when he appeared before North Avon magistrates.

The incident came to light after Huggins carried out the work at the domestic property in Filton, Bristol in 2008 which was later found to be defective.

Huggins had previously agreed with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who brought the prosecution, not to carry out gas work unless he was registered with CORGI, the recognised safety body.

He was fined a total of £800 with £200 costs.

After the case, HSE inspector, Nigel Long, said: "Carrying out work on gas installations without being a member of the registration body, which is now the Gas Safe Register, is dangerous and illegal.

"The law is there to ensure work is carried out safely to minimise any risk of death or serious injury resulting from gas leaks or explosions.

"Members of the public should check that gas fitters are members of the Gas Safe Register before any work is started. Do not be tempted to use unregistered engineers or friends - you could be putting your live at risk."

Notes to editors

1. Michael Huggins pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 which 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 ccase may be, is a member of a class of persons approved for the time being by the Health and Safety Executive"
2. Michael Huggins was also found guilty / pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 26 (1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, which states "no person shall install a gas appliance unless it can be used without constituting a danger to any person".
3. Workers undertaking gas installation and maintenance work must be registered with Gas Safe Register. Further information about the gas registration scheme is available at: http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/about.aspx
4. The court also ordered the defendant to pay a separate £15 victim surcharge, the proceeds of which will be spent on services for victims and witnesses.

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