An unregistered gas fitter from Morden has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after he installed unsafe gas fittings at a family's home in Tooting.
Mr Mussrat Ahamed was fined for illegally and unsafely fitting a new boiler at the family's rented property in Graveney Road in December 2011.
On 11 January this year, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Ahamed removed the family's boiler and installed a new one, leaving 13 defects, including one which was identified as an 'immediate danger' to life or property if an appliance had been left connected or operated.
Mr Ahamed was operating without being 'Gas Safe' registered and did not have the expertise to carry out gas work. HSE inspectors served him with a Prohibition Notice preventing him from carrying out further work until he was recognised as competent and registered with the Gas Safe Register.
He was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs after pleading guilty to two breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998.
HSE inspector Saif Deen said: 'This family's boiler had serious defects because Mr Ahamed lacked the appropriate skills to perform this work safely. He knew he wasn't Gas Safe registered, and although he understood the legal requirement to be registered he was under the impression that the work he undertook didn't constitute gas work because he didn't tamper with the supply.'
'This is a worrying misconception amongst some plumbers and trades people - although the Gas Safety Regulations make it clear that only authorised engineers should carry out any work involving gas fittings or servicing,' he added.
