The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted an unregistered gas fitter from Reading, who put local residents at risk.

Ian Duncan Robinson was removed from the official gas register in April 2007, but continued to operate by claiming that he was sub-contracting to registered installers. The HSE decided to prosecute him after he failed to ensure that gas fitting work he undertook was conducted by a registered installer.

Between July and August 2007, Mr Robinson was responsible for the installation of a gas boiler as part of a larger building project at a property in Caversham.

The gas boiler was left in an unsafe condition, putting the residents of the property at serious risk.

On Monday (08/02/10) at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court, Ian Duncan Robinson of Grosvenor Road in Caversham pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 3(7), 28 and 29 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998; and sections 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

He was fined £3,500 with costs of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £15.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Dozie Azubike said that, by claiming to be a registered gas fitter, Mr Robinson ‘put lives in danger’.

‘He allowed the boiler to be installed in a small, dark space in the roof, which meant it was not easy to reach to operate, inspect or maintain.

‘He also failed to leave instructions for the boiler and to register the boiler with the relevant

authorities – gas fitters must be members of the Gas Safe Register and have the correct

qualifications for the type of work they are doing.’

The Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI as the official gas safety registration scheme in Great Britain from 1 April, 2009 – all gas fitters need to be members of the new register.

The HSE says it will prosecute when work is carried out by anyone falsely claiming to be a

registered gas engineer.

Homeowners and landlords can check whether a gas engineer is registered by calling 0800 408 5500 or at www.gassaferegister.co.uk.

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