HELEN’S STORY WARNS AGAINST ILLEGAL GAS
WORK
Helen is disabled and lives in privately-rented accommodation
which needed various work to be done, including electrical work and
a new gas boiler and heating system fitted. Her 78-year-old mother
recommended a local gas fitter who she thought was Gas Safe
registered. Helen’s landlord employed this gas fitter to carry out
the work on the 5th May 2010.
When the gas fitter arrived at the property Helen asked him if
he was Gas Safe registered, which he replied he was. She didn’t
think to ask to see his Gas Safe ID card:
“When a tradesman is recommended by someone you know,
if you ask them if they are registered and they say ‘yes’ you take
their word for it.”
When things started to go wrong, such as blown radiators and
dodgy-looking electrics, Helen became suspicious of the gas
fitter’s capability to do the job safely and correctly.
Once he finished the job he left Helen with a certificate which
was signed by someone with a different name to him and had a
separate licence number. As Helen had no idea who this person was
she checked this out with Gas Safe Register who confirmed he was
illegal and immediately offered to investigate the gas work. When
Gas Safe Register investigated the property they found a gas leak
in the pipework close to the boiler, which was classified as
‘Immediately Dangerous’; the most dangerous category of gas
work.
When Gas Safe Register investigated the property they found nine
separate gas leaks in the pipework close to the boiler and the
electrics from the previous boiler were still live. They had to
disable the boiler immediately so Helen was left without heating
and hot water for two and a half weeks.
“It’s worrying that people would portray themselves as something
they’re not, especially when it comes down to something as
potentially deadly as gas.”
“This experience has been a nightmare from start to finish. It’s
been time consuming, messy and very unsettling. I would never, ever
let recommendations be enough to make a decision on having gas work
done in the future. I will always check Gas Safe ID card from now
on. It’s there to help protect the public from illegal gas work and
to help keep us all safe”
Helen’s experience cost her dear and it could have cost Helen
her life. Dangerous gas work can be deadly. Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Make sure you know what to do to avoid illegal gas work.
Better Gas Safe than sorry. Always check the
card.
What Next?
Read Jan's story
Find out how using an illegal gas fitter nearly killed my
family.
Hear Anne's story to understand the devastating consequences
of dangerous gas work.
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Better Gas Safe than sorry
Hear Anne's story to understand the devastating consequences of
dangerous gas work.
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