Health and safety inspectors believe illegal gas fitters are operating in Hampshire after investigating multiple reports of unsafe gas work
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is investigating several reports of unsafe gas work carried out by illegal gas fitters in Portsmouth and Havant.
Investigations are ongoing after several houses needed gas servicing work to be redone by competent Gas Safe registered engineers.
By law, anyone working with gas must be listed on the register
The Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas businesses registered to work on gas appliances and fittings.
Anyone who has had gas work recently carried out in their home should check that the work has been undertaken by a competent Gas Safe registered engineer. This is easily checked on the Gas Safe website.
Where residents in Hampshire think that gas work may have been carried out by an unregistered gas fitter, the gas work should be checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Concerns should also be reported to Gas Safe.
HSE recommends that gas appliances are serviced at least once a year by a qualified engineer
HSE inspector Nicola Pinckney said: “While gas is an incredibly safe way of fuelling your home, any work carried out should be done by an engineer who is on the Gas Safe register.
“HSE will investigate any rogue fitters operating in the area.”
HSE recommends homeowners get gas appliances, flues, and pipework regularly maintained and serviced every year by a suitably qualified engineer listed on the Gas Safe Register.
A Portmouth illegal gas fitter was recently jailed for 20 weeks
A plumbing and heating engineer was jailed for 20 weeks in December 2022 after it emerged he was not on the Gas Safe Register and had been carrying out illegal gas fitting as far back as 2016.
An HSE investigation found that Peter Read- trading as A.C.E Plumbing and Heating- was not competent to carry out gas work and not on the Gas Safe Register at the time he carried out the illegal gas work.
HSE inspector Karen Morris commented at the time: “I would like to take this opportunity to remind anyone who needs gas work doing to make sure they check that the engineer has the right skills and is registered with Gas Safe Register. This is very easy to do and by law, anyone working with gas must be listed on the register.”
