A worker has been sentenced after breaching a prohibition notice for gas work and for leaving gas appliances in a dangerous state.

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard that in July 2015 Gary Miller disconnected and removed a boiler from a domestic property in Brentwood, and installed a replacement with associated pipework.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Miller had previously been issued with a prohibition notice for undertaking unregistered gas work in 2013, and had not since gained a registration.

The gas installation under investigation was later found to be ‘at risk’ when inspected by a Gas Safe inspector meaning that the appliance, if operated, may have been a potential danger to life or property.

Mr Miller had intended for a registered engineer to sign off the work, once he had installed the gas appliance, which is also not permissible under the regulations.

Gary Miller, of Fairfield Road, Ongar, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and Section 33 (1) (g) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. 

He has been sentenced to a 12-month Community Order with 100 hours of unpaid work.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Adam Hills said: “Gary Miller undertook gas work when he knew he was not registered to do so.

"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.”

Jonathan Samuel, chief executive of Gas Safe Register, added: “Every Gas Safe registered engineer carries a Gas Safe ID card, which shows who they are and the type of gas appliances they are qualified to work on.

"We always encourage the public to ask for and check the card, and if they have any concerns about the safety of work carried out in their home, to speak to us.”

NB The HSE who originally issued this information has ammended their original press release which stated:

The gas work carried out by Mr Miller was inspected by a Gas Safe inspector who found it to be “at risk” meaning that the appliance, if operated, may have been a potential danger to life or property.

Mr Miller had intended for a registered engineer to sign off the work, once he had installed the gas appliance, which is also not permissible under the regulations.

Gary Miller, of Fairfield Road, Ongar, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and Section 22 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

This has since been changed by the HSE and was not an error by the Echo