Installers must be registered for all areas of gas work undertaken, says APHC

Published:  20 June, 2016

Following the sentencing of a Chelmsford gas engineer for conducting dangerous gas work in rented homes, APHC is urging installers to ensure they are competent and Gas Safe Registered for all work they undertake.

Although James Wilkinson was Gas Safe Registered for some types of gas appliances, he did not hold the required qualifications and was not competent to carry out work on gas warm air units, an HSE investigation has revealed. After doing so at five rented homes in Chelmsford, he left one gas installation in a hazardous condition on more than one occasion, which the building’s tenants were later alerted to by their carbon monoxide alarm.

John Thompson, chief executive at APHC, said: “This case, which all too easily could have resulted in tragedy, highlights the importance of installers being Gas Safe Registered for all areas of gas work they undertake. We must also do more to protect homeowners by raising awareness of the importance of qualifications in specific areas of gas competence, in order to avoid similar occurrences.”