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An unregistered engineer has been prosecuted after he carried out dangerous gas work at a property in Norfolk.
Christopher David Johnson of Kings Lynn, Norfolk pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He also pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 3 (1) and 3 (3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to 14 months in prison on Wednesday, 25 October.
Norwich Crown Court heard how Mr Johnson was contracted by the householder to install gas pipework, a gas cooker, gas hob and gas fire at the property in Bacton.
The work was carried out during summer 2016. However after several gas leaks, the householder contacted Gas Safe Register who inspected the work. The organisation classified the installations as 'Immediately Dangerous' and 'At Risk'.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) alongside Gas Safe Register (GSR) found Mr Johnson was not registered or competent to do the work. In addition, he had previously been prosecuted for similar offences in 2012 and 2013.
He also falsified a Gas Safe registration number on invoices for the work carried out.
HSE inspector Ivan Brooke said: "This work was dangerous and placed the householder and other contractors at risk from fire, explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning. Mr Johnson should have considered that being Gas Safe Registered is not an option when carrying out gas work; it is mandatory. He knew he was not qualified and should have declined this project."
(LM/MH)
