Gas installer pretended to be gas safe prosecuted

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A gas installer has been fined after carrying out gas work while falsely claiming to be gas safe registered on two domestic properties in the Manchester area.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how, between 1 October 2018 and the 25 November 2018, Mr Paul Chappells carried out gas work at two domestic properties in Hyde and Poynton but did not hold the necessary registration to complete this work.  Mr Chappells replaced a gas fire and capped off the supply at the property in Poynton and replaced a boiler at the property in Hyde. The work on the boiler was later found to be of a poor standard and was identified as “at risk” by a Gas Safe Inspector.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Chappells was not registered with Gas Safe at the time the work was undertaken at both properties, despite advertising as gas safe registered on his social media account resulting in him illegally carrying out the gas work.

Mr Paul Chappells of Withington, Manchester, pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 3(7), 26(1) and two counts of regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to a community order of 250 hours unpaid work of eighteen months duration, fifteen rehabilitation activity days and ordered to pay costs of £1,000.

HSE inspector Lorna Sherlock said after the hearing: “Paul Chappells undertook gas work which he knew he was not registered to do.  Householders should check that the engineer carrying out gas work in their home is registered with Gas Safe.

“All gas work must be done by registered Gas Safe engineers to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life.”