A fitter has been fined following a gas leak from a newly fitted range installed in a North Devon residential care home.
Exeter Crown Court heard that on 24 December 2020, Mark Whitham undertook the installation of the new gas range cooker after damaging the existing gas cooker whilst fitting out a new kitchen. Over the next 24 hours staff at the care home experienced problems with the operation of the cooker and contacted their usual Gas Safe Registered engineer. He found a substantial gas leak from the gas supply connection to the cooker.
An HSE investigation found that Mr Whitham was not registered with the Gas Safe Register. The manufacturer’s installation paperwork that came with the appliance when purchased, made numerous references to correct installation by a qualified engineer and numerous references to compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, however these instructions were not followed.
Mark Whitham of Fallow Fields, Barnstaple Devon, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and Regulation 22(1)(a) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment for each offence, suspended for 12 months. He was also_ ordered to undertake 120 hours unpaid work and to pay £2,000 costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Simon Jones said: “Mark Whitham undertook gas work, which he knew he was not registered to do. In this case Mark Whitham’s unregistered gas work put the lives of vulnerable people at real risk from fire and explosion.
“All gas work must be carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life.”
The Safety Conversation with SHP (previously the Safety and Health Podcast) aims to bring you the latest news, insights and legislation updates in the form of interviews, discussions and panel debates from leading figures within the profession.
Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts, subscribe and join the conversation today!
In addition to the illegal work carried out by the said person, for which he was rightly held to account, did the Registered Manager of the care home check that the fitter was a Gas Safe registered engineer prior to allowing him to proceed with fitting a new gas range to replace the existing gas cooker that was damaged during the new kitchen refurbishment? They too have a responsibility, which, it seems they were aware of as they called out their usual Gas Safe registered engineer to rectify the problem with the new range. No mention of the care home… Read more »
Absolutely agree Steve, my first thoughts were around the accountability and liability of the care home. Raises some interesting questions around their competence and motives.