Tywyn fitter is fined for illegal gas work

Date:

11 June 2010

Release No:

805/W/10

High levels of deadly carbon monoxide gas were potentially endangering lives as a result of an illegal gas fitter's work, a court heard today.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Chris Bradshaw of Tywyn at Pwllheli Magistrates Court, leading to a total fine of £38,000 and costs of £15,711.

Bradshaw pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 22 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by working in non-compliance with a prohibition notice and was fined £10,000 on that charge. He also pleaded guilty to 14 breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1988, and was fined £2,000 for each charge.

A complaint was made to HSE about work Mr Bradshaw had carried out at a domestic property in Tywyn, trading as Chris Bradshaw Heating and Plumbing. Work carried out at two further properties was then also investigated.

The court heard that in April 2007, Mr Bradshaw had installed a combination boiler and gas hob which were not properly converted from natural gas to LPG propane and when in use produced very high levels of dangerous carbon monoxide (CO). Both installations had numerous risks and were not to current safety standards. Mr Bradshaw was only registered with the former trade regulator CORGI to work on natural gas, not LPG Propane.

In November 2007, Mr Bradshaw also installed a new natural gas fire and boiler which had numerous faults. He was suspended from the CORGI register following a gas leak from the supply pipe to the fire.

In November, 2008, Mr Bradshaw then replaced internal and external LPG propane gas pipe work at another property and reconnected the pipe work to an existing gas fire. The fire had dangerous faults and the LPG supply and there were numerous risks with the pipework which was not to current standards. Mr Bradshaw was removed from the CORGI register and subject to a prohibition notice at the time of this work.

HSE Inspector, Gary Martin, said: "Mr Bradshaw has shown a blatant disregard for the law, codes of practice and standards regulating the domestic gas safety market. Fitters who try to work beyond their assessed competence are not only breaking the law but could also cost lives.

"His work has given rise to a number of immediately dangerous situations and his incompetent work has had the potential to endanger householders, including children, from the risk of fire or explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning."

All gas engineers must be Gas Safe registered and carry a card detailing the appliances they are permitted to work on. Householders should always check these details before allowing work to be carried out as properly registered engineers will be more than happy to prove their competence.

Carbon monoxide has no smell or taste and it can kill quickly without warning. Gas appliances should be properly maintained, and should always have an annual safety check. HSE also recommends the use of carbon monoxide detectors in homes as a precaution.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Gas Safe Register is the government approved registration scheme for gas engineers in the UK, Isle of Man and Guernsey and replaces the CORGI scheme. The register of 126,000 gas engineers, aims to protect 21 million gas consumers from dangerous gas work. It is a legal requirement for any gas engineering business or self employed gas engineer carrying out domestic or commercial gas work to be registered under the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998. More information on the Gas Safe Register can be found at www.gassaferegister.co.uk
3. Gas Safe Register assesses the competence of engineers on the register by inspecting a sample of the gas work they carry out to make sure they are safe to work on gas. Gas Safe Register is focused on gas safety and campaigns to raise awareness of gas safety risks, including those associated with using illegal gas workers.
4. More information on gas safety can be found on HSE's website at www.hse.gov.uk/gas
5. The court also ordered Chris Bradshaw 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 Wales