12 month prison sentence for fitter who pretended to be Gas Safety Registered

The importance of having competent gas safety engineers carry out safe gas works cannot be understated. The law is clear that all gas work must be done by registered 'Gas Safe' engineers to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life.

Failure to comply with these requirements can have detrimental consequences, as a self-employed gas fitter recently discovered.

Marc Murrie misled homeowners on several occasions by claiming to be Gas Safe Registered when he was not.

Between October 2013 and September 2014, Murrie carried out gas work in two properties in West Yorkshire. He was not registered with the Gas Safe Register.

Several defects were found on each gas installation including the use of inappropriate gas fittings and defective flue joints, all of which posed safety risks for the homeowners. Murrie was subsequently served with a Prohibition Notice, banning him from carrying out any further gas work unless he completed appropriate qualifications and registered with Gas Safe Register.

An investigation by HSE found that he continued to work and between April 2016 and July 2016, carried out further gas work at two properties in South Yorkshire. Again, defects were subsequently found on the gas work after the homeowners complained to Gas Safe Register.

Murrie of Moss Croft Lane, Hatfield, Doncaster, South Yorkshire pleaded guilty to:

• Five charges/offences of Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998;
• Three charges/offences of Regulation 3(7) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998;
• One charge/offence each of Regulation 6(3) and Regulation 26(5) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998;
• One charge/offence under Section 33(1)(g) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Mr Murrie has been imprisoned for 12 months.

Further information about gas safety can be found online at www.hse.gov.uk/gas

 Implications for clients - To ensure legal compliance and avoid prosecution the following need to be adhered to:

1. Ensure that every Gas Safe registered engineer has an ID card which shows who they are and the type of work they are qualified to carry out. Customers should ask to see this and check the engineer is qualified to do the job in hand.
2. You can also check your engineer by calling The Gas Safety Register on 0800 408 5500 or by visiting www.gassaferegister.co.uk
3. Ensure that certified engineer provides a copy of a safe system of work/ method statement for the intended work that is to be carried out.
4. Ensuring that compliance is met will enable a reduction/elimination of work-related death, injury and ill health.

Source:

https://www.shponline.co.uk/in-court/gas-fitter-jailed-for-unsafe-gas-work/