Colchester Gas engineer fined for not being Gas safe
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An unregistered gas engineer has been fined after working unlawfully on a boiler at domestic premises in Colchester.
Colchester Magistrates Court heard that Derek Ringe, 64, serviced and repaired a domestic boiler at a property in Colchester, whilst not being recorded on Gas Safe Register on two separate occasions in July 2013 and July 2014.
The court heard that Mr Ringe had a long career in the gas industry and worked as a self-employed gas engineer. However, on 20 October 2012 he cancelled his registration with Gas Safe, rendering him legally unable to continue his work. He is now retired.
Following the work undertaken in July 2014, the homeowner checked Gas Safe Register and noted that Mr Ringe was not listed. He contacted Gas Safe Register, who visited the property and deemed the boiler ‘at risk’.
The homeowner then contracted a competent third party to undertake the required remedial work on the boiler. This firm deemed the boiler ‘immediately dangerous’ due to high carbon monoxide levels and the fact that the flue was not connected to the boiler.
Derek John Ringe, of Stanela, Old School Lane, Elmstead, Colchester, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3 (3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and was fined £2,000 with £1,196 costs.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Jessica Donne commented: ‘Gas Safe Registered engineers are subject to checks and assessments to ensure their work is carried out safely. By deliberately choosing to work while unregistered, Mr Ringe avoided these checks and may have put the lives of members of the public in their homes at risk.’
