Gas fitter jailed for unsafe gas work
A self-employed gas fitter has been jailed after he carried out unsafe gas work while falsely pretending to be Gas Safe registered.
Marc Murrie misled homeowners on several occasions by claiming to be Gas Safe Registered when he was not.
Between October 2013 and September 2014, Murrie carried out gas work in two properties in West Yorkshire while not a member of a class of persons approved by Health and Safety Executive (HSE), that is, was not registered with Gas Safe Register.
Several defects were found on each gas installation including the use of inappropriate gas fittings and defective flue joints, all of which posed safety risks for the homeowners. Murrie was subsequently served with a Prohibition Notice, banning him from carrying out any further gas work unless he completed appropriate qualifications and registered with Gas Safe Register.
An investigation by HSE found that he continued to work and between April 2016 and July 2016, carried out further gas work at two properties in South Yorkshire. Again, defects were subsequently found on the gas work after the homeowners complained to Gas Safe Register.
Murrie of Moss Croft Lane, Hatfield, Doncaster, South Yorkshire pleaded guilty to:
- Five charges/offences of Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998;
- Three charges/offences of Regulation 3(7) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998;
- One charge/offence each of Regulation 6(3) and Regulation 26(5) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998;
- One charge/offence under Section 33(1)(g) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Mr Murrie has been imprisoned for 12 months.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Jane Fox commented: “Mr Murrie undertook gas work which he knew he was not registered to do. Some of that work was unsafe and it was fortunate that no one was harmed.”
“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.”