A man who illegally falsified documents and reports for work he carried out at a chip shop has been sentenced at Bolton Crown Court, highlighting the need to thoroughly check that your gas fitter is Gas Safe registered.
Although Anthony Lord, 52, had worked as a gas engineer since leaving school and had been Gas Safe registered between November 2015 and March 2016 with a previous employer, he was not legally allowed to work with gas when asked to visit the Gilnow Chippy and Hamzah Sweets and Bakers in Bolton.
Lord’s substandard work came to light when a Gas Safety register investigator checked the chip shop after a gas leak. The investigator discovered a number of serious issues, including a gas leak from the meter in the cellar and faults with the gas interlock system Lord had fitted in the kitchen. Julian King, prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) commented that the investigator’s finding was that ‘there was an immediate danger to the public. The risk of an explosion where there is a gas leak is potentially catastrophic’.
Lord, of Great Lever, provided false documentation to his customers so that they believed their chosen gas fitter was Gas Safe registered. He initially denied that he’d been the one to carry out the work but subsequently pleaded guilty to five offences in the Health and Safety at Work Act. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison by Judge Timothy Stead, suspended for two years. He has also been ordered to carry out 210 hours of unpaid work and take part in 20 days of rehabilitation activities.
Judge Stead commented that ‘Anyone tempted to do this sort of thing must know that it is particularly serious’. And here at Gas Training & Assessment, we wholeheartedly agree that it is essential that you check that your gas fitter is Gas Safe registered. Making the assumption that your gas fitter is Gas Safe registered without actually asking the question or double checking accreditations can quite literally mean the difference between life and death.
By law any gas fitter must be Gas Safe registered in order to be able to legally work with gas. Radiators, taps, toilets, general plumbing – these can be carried out by a plumber – but only boilers and any other gas appliances must be installed, maintained and serviced by a Gas Safe engineer.
The Gas Safe register replaced CORGI as Great Britain and the Isle of Man’s only gas registration body. By being on the register, a gas engineer has attained a level of competence and a valid, current qualification to work with gas. All gas fitters must complete a recognised route of training and assessment to obtain this competence.
Are you sure that your gas fitter is Gas Safe registered? There are some startling facts regarding this matter:
- Over 60% of illegal gas work that has been inspected by the Gas Safe register is deemed unsafe
- If you were to use an illegal gas fitter, it could invalidate both your boiler warranty and home insurance warranty
Don’t leave it to chance – ensure your gas fitter is Gas Safe register by checking the register online and asking to see documentation before any work commences.
We hope you found our article ‘Are you sure your chosen gas fitter is Gas Safe registered?’ of interest. If you are looking to gain the training required to become Gas Safe registered, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the staff at Gas Training & Assessment.
