gas safe news 2009
Is your new kitchen a death trap? Gas Safe Register research
reveals 100,000 gas cookers installed illegally
16th October 2009
New research on cowboy gas fitters reveals that they are most
likely to work on gas pipework and gas cookers and hobs, compared
to other gas appliances in the home. The study carried out for Gas
Safe Register estimates that 100,000 gas cookers and hobs are
installed illegally every year by fitters who don’t have the skills
or the qualifications to work on gas.
New research on cowboy gas fitters reveals that they are most
likely to work on gas pipework and gas cookers and hobs, compared
to other gas appliances in the home. The study carried out for Gas
Safe Register estimates that 100,000 gas cookers and hobs are
installed illegally every year by fitters who don’t have the skills
or the qualifications to work on gas.
The research further identifies that a quarter of a million gas
jobs are carried out each year by at least 7,500 hard core illegal
gas fitters. They are potentially the most dangerous type of
illegal gas workers in the country. As well as carrying out gas
work, many may also undertake plumbing jobs, bathroom fitting,
kitchen fitting, general building and electrical work.
Commenting on the research, Phill Brewster, Gas Safe Register’s
national investigations manager said:
There’s an awful lot to think about when you’re doing
any improvements to your home, particularly in kitchens and
bathrooms. So, it’s not surprising that for some, it can slip your
mind that certain jobs have to be done by a skilled
tradesmen. With our research showing that many cowboy gas fitters
are most likely to work gas cookers, hobs and gas pipework, it is
worrying to think how many people don’t realise that this type of
work can only be done by a registered gas engineer."
In the right hands gas is perfectly safe, but in the hands of an
illegal gas fitter it can kill. Gas Safe Register is therefore
advising anyone who is having gas work done in their home to make
sure that it is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Gas Safe Register’s investigation team are searching out illegal
gas fitters around the country who are not registered. They also
investigate registered engineers that carry out work they are not
qualified to do, as Phill Brewster explains:
“We want everyone to understand that different types of gas work
require different qualifications. Just because someone is
qualified and registered to work on one gas appliance, for example
gas boilers, does not mean that they are automatically qualified to
put in a gas fire. If they do this, the work is illegal and
potentially life threatening. The work that engineers can legally
do is listed on the back of their Gas Safe Register ID card –so
before you have any gas work done in your home make sure you check
the card.”
Gas Safe Register is also urging the public to nominate their
property for a free gas safety check if they have had gas work done
in their home in the last six months.
Phill Brewster added:
“Cowboys and gas don’t mix, so it is crucial that
people understand no matter how big or small the job is, when it
comes to gas you cannot guarantee that the work has been done
safely and legally unless you use a Gas Safe registered engineer.
We are urging people to help us to protect them by
- Always using a Gas Safe registered engineer when having any gas
work done in their home and make sure they check the engineer’s Gas
Safe Register ID card to confirm they are qualified to do the
work
- Nominating their property for a free gas safety
check
- Reporting suspected illegal gas workers to Gas Safe
Register.”
For more advice on avoiding illegal gas workers visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/illegals
or call 0800 408 5500.
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