An unregistered gas fitter who impersonated a registered engineer, leaving gas appliances in a dangerous state, has been sentenced to twelve months in prison.Southend Magistrates’ Court was told that Robert Ruszczak undertook the servicing of five gas appliances in May and September 2016 at a hotel and restaurant in Harlow.
A subsequent investigation by a Gas Safe Regional Inspector showed that Rusczak had left a gas wok range in a condition that presented an immediate risk to people and property.
The Health and Safety Executive’s investigation found that Ruszczak was not Gas Safe Registered (GSR) at the time he conducted the work. He had fraudulently used the details of a Gas Safe Registered business, and used the Gas Safe logo on his clothing and vehicles, to deliberately mislead customers that he was competent to undertake gas work.
Ruszcsak had also ignored previous warnings from HSE not to conduct gas work without gaining the necessary competencies.
Ruszczak of Plaw Hatch Close, Bishops Stortford pleaded guilty to six breaches under the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998.
HSE inspector Edward Crick commented after the hearing: “Robert Ruszczak undertook gas work which he knew he wasn’t registered to do.
“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.”
