Dangers of cowboy gas-fitters highlighted
Jan 1, 2010
Illegal gas-fitters in Great Britain are conducting a quarter of a million gas jobs each year, including fitting and servicing appliances, according to a study by Gas Safe Register, the safety body that oversees the work carried out by registered gas engineers.
Gas Safe Register took over from CORGI in April of this year, and their study, published on 17 September, estimates that 7500 illegal gas-fitters are carrying out jobs without the necessary gas safety skills or qualifications.
The research has enabled the watchdog to build an accurate profile of those most likely to be involved in illegal gas work.
It is estimated that more than half (57 per cent) are sole traders, and a third work in companies employing fewer than four people.
As well as carrying out gas work, 90 per cent also undertake plumbing jobs, 81 per cent fit bathrooms, 67 per cent install kitchens, and 43 per cent carry out general building or electrical work.
Gas Safe Register’s study showed that 1 in 10 of the illegal gas installations investigated in the last nine months, have been ‘Immediately Dangerous’ and the appliances had to be disabled straight away to make them safe. Over a third of the appliances were leaking gas, and almost half had faults that could lead to lethal carbon monoxide exposure.
The organisation is urging everyone to check engineers’ Gas Safety Register ID cards to make sure they have the right qualifications to work on gas systems.
