Man whobreachedgas safetylaw is fined

SAFETY chiefs have welcomed the fining of a man who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer and illegally installed gas appliances at addresses in York.

Bennett Morley, of Cherry Paddock, Haxby, York, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for five offences under gas safety legislation after complaints by householders.

Magistrates in York heard Morley carried out gas work while not being competent to do so, and falsely claiming to be officially registered.

The court was told the offences involved installation of gas boilers in two properties in York in late 2008 and again in summer 2009.

The work was so poor that complaints were made by householders and remedial work had to be carried out by a registered gas engineer.

Morley also passed himself off as a registered gas engineer by completing installation paperwork with a false identity number.

Magistrates heard that Morley had worked for several years with a gas installation company but had been operating as a sole trader when the offences took place.

Morley admitted all the offences and was fined a total of 500 with 500 costs. He was also referred to a debt counsellor.

After the court case, HSE inspector Julian Franklin said:“Morley deliberately misled householders about his qualifications. The work he carried out put people at risk and fell well below standard.

“The HSE will not hesitate to prosecute workmen like Morley who bypass or choose to ignore important safety legislation and thus put people at risk.”

Gas Safe Register’s chief executive Paul Johnston added: “Registered engineers have a Gas Safe Register ID with their picture on it, the date it’s valid until and, if you turn it over, it shows what gas work they are qualified to do.

“If they refuse to show the card, or if you have suspicions they may not be legitimate, report them immediately to the HSE or Gas Safe Register.”