Gas installers advised to be vigilant as registered fitter is fined

The Health & Safety Executive issued a timely reminder to gas fitters to take care when installing appliances. This follows a serious breach of duty by a CORGI registered fitter - 13th November 2007

A self-employed CORGI registered gas installer, Azam Siddiqi, has received a been fine of £500 and ordered to pay a contribution towards costs of £2,500 after pleading guilty to installing a gas fire, but leaving it in a dangerous condition, in a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The HSE issued a warning that - during the busiest time of the year for installers - they should take great care when going about their business

Mr Siddiqi, from Oldham, was charged under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, Regulation 26 (5)(a), because he installed a fire that could not be used safely by the house owner. The residents suffered from the early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning after blockages were found in the system fitted by Mr Siddiqi

 

Anyone injured in an accident at work in these circumstances may be able to claim against either the employer or the gas installation company. HSE Inspector Richard Clarke said:

“This is an unusual case as it involves a CORGI-registered installer, who should have known better. One of HSE’s roles is to hold all installers to account for their actions, or in this case lack of actions, in order to protect the safety of consumers. There was no excuse for this fire to have been wrongly fitted which put this family at unnecessary risk.”

Being CORGI-registered is a legal requirement for anyone installing or repairing gas fittings or appliances in homes.

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