Unregistered plumber risked causing personal injury to customers

A self-employed plumber, who risked causing personal injury to his customers and other members of the public as well as the possibility of product liability compensation claims against him, has been fined for carrying out illegal work on gas boilers for which he was not registered.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought a case against the 62-year-old at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court following a complaint by a customer for whom he had installed a gas boiler in Weeting, Norfolk.

The customer said he had asked the plumber if he was qualified to do gas work but he had been evasive. An investigating officer from the Gas Safe Register said the boiler installation was "immediately dangerous" and both it and another at Bury St Edmunds were described as "at risk".

HSE inspector Sue Matthews, said, "It is illegal for an unregistered person to carry out work on a gas appliance. When unregistered workers try to bypass the law in this way they are not only putting themselves at risk of prosecution and a large fine, they are also putting their customers' lives at risk.

"Working with gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially very dangerous. Only qualified and registered engineers should attempt it. HSE will not hesitate to prosecute those who break the law in this way."

The plumber, who admitted breaking gas safety and health and safety laws, was given a one-year conditional discharge by magistrates and ordered to pay £4,000 costs.

It is not known if his customers who were put in potential personal injury danger will be seeking to make a product liability claim against him through no win, no fee solicitors.