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Illegal Lpg Gas Fitter Prosecuted

A Wiltshire man has been prosecuted for illegally carrying out work on his neighbour’s lp gas boiler. Graham Nicholls, 66, was not registered as a gas installer with CORGI, which ran the gas registration scheme at the time.

Nicholls incorrectly fitted a flue to the lpg boiler, leaving the potential for an explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted him after his deception came to light when he said he was unable to fill in the necessary paperwork – a benchmark book to indicate who had installed the flue and a building compliance certificate – after carrying out the work in 2009.

Chippenham Magistrates’ Court heard how a Gas Safe registered inspector later checked the lpg gas boiler and immediately identified it as dangerous. Nicholls was found guilty and sentenced to 300 hours of community service and ordered to pay costs of £2,280.

HSE inspector Ian Whittles said: “It is illegal and dangerous to carry out gas work without being a member of the Gas Safe Register, and the public should always check fitters are registered before any work is started. Incorrectly fitted or repaired boilers put lives at risk. Do not be afraid to challenge your gas engineer and phone the Gas Safe Register to check they are registered – you could be putting your life at risk if you don’t.”

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