Community order for Shropshire man in illegal gas work

Date:

13 May 2011

Release No:

WM429/11

A Shropshire man has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for carrying out gas work at an elderly couple's home without being Gas Safe registered.

James Alexander Dunsmore, of Bridge Street, Bridgnorth, installed central heating, including a gas boiler, at an address in Linley View Drive, Bridgnorth, between 25 and 29 October 2010.

The 79-year-old woman, who cares for her husband, had received Mr Dunsmore's details from a neighbour and hired him under the impression he was an approved engineer on the Gas Safe Register. It was only after the work was completed, that it was discovered he was not.

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard today that an HSE investigation carried out with the Gas Safe Register found a number of defects in the gas system at the premises, which Mr Dunsmore had failed to spot.

These included having no emergency shut-off lever on the meter, meaning the gas supply could not easily be shut off in an emergency.

The gas supply pipe was also found not to be properly sleeved at the wall entry point. In the event of a gas leak, gas would have had a route back into the main house, with the potential to cause an explosion.

Although Mr Dunsmore had not installed the meter or supply pipe, he should have spotted the problems and taken the appropriate action.

Mr Dunsmore pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998. The court imposed a 12-month community order, in which Mr Dunsmore must complete 120 hours' unpaid work, and he was ordered to pay £750 compensation to the householder.

HSE inspector Janice Dale said:

"Anybody who carries out work on boilers, hobs, ovens, fires or any other gas appliances without being on the Gas Safe Register is breaking the law.

"Mr Dunsmore should not have undertaken the work, and furthermore, he failed to spot a number of faults with the gas system that could have put the householders at risk.

"Poorly maintained, faulty or badly installed gas work can cause explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal and can also cause serious long-term health problems.

"All Gas Safe registered engineers carry an identity card and I would urge anyone who hires a gas engineer to ask to see this and contact the Gas Safe Register immediately on 0800 408 5500 or visit the website www.gassaferegister.co.uk if they have any concerns."

Paul Johnston, Chief Executive of Gas Safe Register, added:

"All too often our investigations team finds illegal gas fitters specifically preying on the elderly, offering discounted OAP rates and using charm tactics. Many use the Gas Safe logo on their van, adverts or paperwork when they are not registered.

"With a quarter of a million gas jobs carried out every year by illegal gas fitters who don't have the skills or the qualifications to work safely on gas, it's vital that people always check that the engineer they use is on the Gas Safe Register, or they could be putting their lives and pocket at risk."

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce 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. 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 may be, is a member of a class of persons approved for the time being by the Health and Safety Executive for the purposes of this paragraph."
3. Gas engineers undertaking gas installation and maintenance work must be registered with a body approved by the HSE. The approved body is Gas Safe Register. More information and a full list of registered engineers can be found on www.gassaferegister.co.uk

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