NEWS INCOURTS THE DIRECTOR SENTENCED FOR
UNREGISTERED GAS WORK An unregistered gas fitter operating as a director of Master Plumbing Contractors Limited has been sentenced for carrying out gas work without being registered with Gas Safe.
Aylesbury Crown Court heard how Andrew Stevens purported to be Gas Safe registered when he undertook gas work at two properties in Milton Keynes between 2015 and 2016. He brandished a t-shirt with the Gas Safe logo, which was also on the company van. Mr Stevens was reported to Gas Safe Register after defects were found in the installation of a gas boiler.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Stevens was not Gas Safe registered at the time he conducted this work.
LEICESTERSHIRE COMPANY PROSECUTED AFTER WORKER
SUFFERS BURN INJURIES Sign-fitting contractor, AR Signs Limited, has been sentenced for safety breaches after a worker suffered multiple, serious burn injuries.
Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 14 September 2017, the 22-year-old employee of AR Signs Limited was using a breaker tool to dig a hole for the posts of a new sign at the Hellaby Hall Hotel in Bramley, near Rotherham, when he struck a mains electricity cable, causing a large flash. The worker suffered burn injuries to the inside of his right arm, the top of his right hand, the inside of his left arm, and the right-hand side of his face. He also had burns to his hair, eyelashes, eyebrows and beard.
Andrew Stevens of Reynolds Place, Grange Farm, Milton Keynes, was found guilty of four offences under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Mr Stevens received four 18-month sentences, all suspended for two years. He was also ordered to do 300 hours of community service and pay costs of £15,000.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Andrew McGill said: “Mr Stevens undertook gas work which he knew he was not registered to do.”
“HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against rogue gas fitters who disregard the law and place lives at risk. Working with gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially very dangerous, so it is vital that this is only undertaken by trained and competent engineers who are registered with Gas Safe.”
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that no cable diagram or ground scanner was used to determine the presence of the mains cable, and no training had been given in the use of the breaker tool.
AR Signs Ltd of Leicester Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire was found guilty of breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and has been fined £35,000 and ordered to pay £2,475 in costs.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Sarah Robinson commented: “This wholly avoidable incident was caused by the failure of the company to appropriately plan and execute a safe system of work whilst fitting the signs.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
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