A self-employed contractor has been prosecuted for impersonating a registered gas engineer and leaving appliances in a dangerous state.

Robert Ruszczak of Plaw Hatch Close, Bishops Stortford pleaded guilty to six breaches under the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998. He has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Southend Magistrates' Court heard how Mr Ruszczak serviced five gas appliances at a hotel and restaurant in Harlow in May and September 2016.


However, an investigation by a Gas Safe Regional Inspector showed Mr Rusczak had left a gas wok range in a condition that presented an immediate risk to people and property.

A further Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation discovered Mr Ruszczak was not Gas Safe Registered (GSR) at the time he conducted this work. In addition, Mr Ruszczak 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.

He had also ignored previous warnings from HSE not to conduct gas work without gaining the necessary competencies.

HSE inspector Edward Crick said: "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."

(LM/MH)