Health And Safety Failings – Illegal gas works leads to suspended sentence

Illegal gas works leads to suspended sentence

Key Facts

• A gas fitter was investigated after he fitted a gas hob at a property.
• It transpired he was not on the Gas Safe Register.
• He was found guilty of breaching Gas Safety Regulations, and given a suspended prison sentence.

The Case

The HSE investigated the safety practices of a Walsall based gas fitter after it transpired he was not on the Gas Safe Register when he fitted a hob at a house in Tamworth.

His work was brought to the attention of the HSE after a subsequent work was carried out by a registered gas fitter.

He was charged with breaching Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations but after he failed to appear in court on two separate occasions, he was arrested. His case was heard at Stafford Crown Court where he pleaded guilty and was given a 9 month prison sentence, suspended for 2 years. He was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service, and to pay costs of £100.

What the HSE said

After the hearing, HSE inspector Wayne Owen said

‘When working on gas systems it is vital that the person has sufficient knowledge, training and experience so that they are aware of safe working practices and standards. This is due to the level of risk if gas systems are not worked on and fitted safely. The risk is posed not only to the person carrying out the work but to anyone else who may be in the vicinity of the systems afterwards; in this case the occupants of the house.’

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