The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted an illegal gas fitter from Gloucestershire after his work put local residents at risk.

In July 2008, Stanley Burrage supplied and fitted a kitchen that included a gas hob, electric oven and extractor fan at a council-owned property in Nailsworth, Stroud.

Mr Burrage fitted a cupboard around the existing gas central heating and hot water boiler – and in doing so, he removed and discarded the sealed boiler casing.

Mr Burrage was not registered as required by law with the then gas regulator, CORGI – which has now been replaced by the Gas Safe Register.

A routine council inspection of the work in November 2008 revealed a ‘catalogue of errors’ which presented an immediate and serious danger to residents.

On Friday (26/02/10) at Gloucester Magistrates’ Court, Stanley John Burrage of Old Bristol Road, Nailsworth in Stroud – trading as JB Complete Home Services – pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3 and Regulation 8(2) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was fined £1,200 and ordered to pay costs of £1,200. Mr Burrage was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Following the hearing, HSE inspector, Andy Shaw, said that the residents living at the council-owned property were ‘at serious risk’ of carbon monoxide poisoning ‘because the gas fitter they thought was properly registered, was operating illegally’.

‘Gas appliances which are not properly installed and adequately maintained by a competent registered installer pose a serious danger,’ said Mr Shaw. ‘You could literally be putting your life at risk.

‘We strongly advise that everyone gets their gas appliances checked regularly by a registered gas fitter. Double check the fitter’s credentials – don’t just take their word that they are registered,’ he added.     

Workers undertaking gas installation and maintenance work must be registered with the Gas Safe Register, the contract for which was awarded to CAPITA by the HSE in April 2009.

The Gas Safe Register replaced the gas safety scheme previously operated by CORGI. Further information about the gas registration scheme is available at http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/about.aspx.

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