Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a gas fitter has been given a suspended prison sentence for carrying out repeated illegal and dangerous gas work at homes and businesses in Norfolk.
Terry Arnold from Thetford, continued to work on gas appliances in clear breach of an enforcement notice and despite being suspended from the Gas Safe Register.
Mr Arnold’s failings were discovered after food safety inspectors visited a Chinese take-away in Swaffham in April 2012. They noted concerns about the standard of cooking appliances he had worked on at the premises, which were subsequently classed as ‘immediately dangerous’ by a Gas Safe inspector.
Gas Safe informed the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which served a Prohibition Notice preventing him from undertaking any further gas work while it investigated his activities.
Yesterday (29 July), Norwich Crown Court heard that Mr Arnold had issued a safety certificate for his work at the restaurant. However, his Gas Safe accreditation was invalid because he was suspended in May 2010 for failing to have his work inspected in accordance with the terms of his registration.
Yet, despite this, and in clear contravention of the Prohibition Notice, the HSE investigation found that he continued to carry out illegal gas work at addresses in Kings Lynn and Swaffham during 2012 and 2013, even though he had provided a written undertaking that he would not do any such work.
Mr Arnold was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for one year, after pleading guilty to seven breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and one breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Further alleged breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 were left to lie on file. The judge commented on sentencing that it was only Mr Arnold’s medical condition – he is receiving treatment for renal cancer – that prevented an immediate prison sentence.