A gas fitter based in Cornwall has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after carrying out illegal work which could have endangered the lives of homeowners.
Michael Rowe, from Bodmin, was employed to install a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) hob and connected pipework in a house at Trispen, near Truro in June 2011. He installed the hob, but the homeowner suffered a fire from the gas pipe supplying the hob in March 2013.
As a result, an investigation was carried out at the property by a Gas Safe registered engineer, who discovered that compression joints on the installation were weeping LPG.
The HSE subsequently found that Mr Rowe was not a registered gas engineer and had never at any time been a member of the Gas Safe Register, or its former incarnation, CORGI.
Michael Rowe pleaded guilty to a breach of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Truro Magistrates’ Court. He was fined a total of