An unregistered gas fitter operating as a director of Master Plumbing Contractors Limited has been sentenced this week for carrying out gas work without being registered with Gas Safe.
Aylesbury Crown Court heard how the fitter alleged to be Gas Safe registered when he undertook gas work at two properties in Milton Keynes between 2015 and 2016.
He brandished a t-shirt with the Gas Safe logo, which was also on the company van. The fitter was reported to the Gas Safe Register after defects were found in the installation of a gas boiler.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the fitter was not Gas Safe registered at the time he conducted this work.
The fitter was found guilty of four offences under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations SI 1998/2451, and received four 18-month sentences, all suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 300 hours community service and pay costs of £15,000.
HSE Inspector Andrew McGill commented "HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against rogue gas fitters who disregard the law and place lives at risk. Working with gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially very dangerous, so it is vital that this is only undertaken by trained and competent engineers who are registered with Gas Safe".
